“Well,” she continued, “you have a successful career. You are currently in the process of living out your dream of being a rock star. You have lots of friends, a nice place to live, and a nice truck. In general you are a positive person. You set goals and reach them. I’ve often wondered if you summoned me into your life or if it was the other way around. Maybe you summoned the package to my mailbox, or maybe we summoned each other subconsciously. You certainly summoned me back into your life even as I tried my best to disappear.”
Intrigued, Adam said, “You mean you don’t know if you summoned me into your life? Does that mean that, even after all these years, you don’t have complete control over your thoughts?”
“Nobody ever gains complete control of their thoughts, Adam. I still think negative thoughts, just like everybody else. I still manifest and summon people, things, and events into my life inadvertently. I’m far better at controlling my thoughts than most people are, but it still happens occasionally. Our subconscious minds can be very powerful.
“I’m afraid Paul has learned to channel RTP and summon events and occurrences to happen to other people from afar, which would explain how he caused the fire in the nightclub and the avalanche. I don’t know if he knows where I am or not. I suppose he could have had his cronies watching my every move and causing the events to occur. But somehow I don’t think they have found me again yet. If they knew where I was, they would’ve tried to capture me by now. But hiding underground has always been my sanctuary. If he can inflict that much damage upon my life without even knowing where I am, then living in hiding may not even be safe anymore. That is one thought I am trying to put out of my mind. That’s why I have never voiced this concern to anyone but you. And I am only telling you because now that we are together, it affects you too. I am holding firm to the belief that Paul does not know about you yet. Maybe that will provide you with some form of protection.”
For the rest of the drive, Maddie continued her teachings about Refined Transcendent Power. She told Adam success story after success story, and he started to actually believe he could do it. He still couldn’t believe it was that simple. There had to be more to it than what she was telling. But then he would catch himself thinking negatively and tell himself that he could do it. He tried to convince himself he was stronger and more determined than the people who had failed at it before him. He surmised that they were probably weak-minded or weak in their faith. He was determined to master RTP. If that was what it would take to stay with Maddie for the rest of his life, and protect them both, that is what he would do.
Chapter 32
When Maddie and Adam arrived at their destination, Adam parked the truck in a small gravel lot near a trail that led into the woods. It was an unusually warm day for the time of year, and the brilliant sun made everything seem more beautiful and vibrant. He gathered the fishing gear and cooler out of the back of the truck and motioned for Maddie to follow him. As they walked, he told her funny stories about the times his family had come to that exact location when he was a kid.
Adam was a little worried about the short hike that was ahead of them because he still had the walking cast on, although he didn’t mention his worry to Maddie. He had learned to maneuver fairly well in the cast and most of the time he didn’t even notice it anymore. But he had only covered relatively short distances with it on. He couldn’t remember exactly how far it was to the location, but he knew it was at least a quarter of a mile or more. Still, he was fairly confident he could make it.
He estimated that he and Maddie had walked about a half mile on the path when he started to wonder if they were going in the right direction. He had been confident he could remember the way to his family’s favorite fishing spot, but it had been so many years since he had been there that he was now starting to second-guess himself. The trail seemed both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. He hoped he wasn’t getting them lost.
Just when he was about to suggest that they had missed a turn and should turn around, they rounded a bend and the trail opened up to a clearing. Adam could see the riverbank glistening in the sun just beyond the grassy area. It looked exactly as he had remembered it from his childhood. He was relieved that he had found the right spot after all. It brought back so many memories. He froze in place and took in the view while he remembered his past.
Maddie interrupted his moment of nostalgia when she said, “Adam, this is beautiful!”
She walked past him into the grassy area, stretched out her arms, and spun around slowly.
Watching her there in the nature setting with the sun illuminating her blond hair and causing a slight flush to her face, he had to agree with her.
“Yes it is beautiful,” he murmured softly as her eyes met his and she smiled at him.
He knew then that it was going to be an awesome day. He laid a blanket down in the grass about ten feet away from the riverbank and proceeded to set up the fishing poles and cast them into the water while Maddie watched with interest. He was careful not to get too close to the water and get his cast wet.
Maddie said, “I can’t remember the last time I went fishing. It has
