Wiley looked at them. They were both weary and confused, as he was. Strange thoughts formed in his head. What had taken place in the valley had been foretold. A memory surfaced from deep in his memory banks. And now words were forming, taking shape, words that needed to be spoken.
“But now … he is a Mighty Warrior, and we should be scared. Very scared.”
48 - Outside the city
Wiley stood on the balcony, looking out at the ocean. Bruce and Sarge stood beside him, each in their own world. They needed a respite from the scene they’d just witnessed on the big screen. Wiley walked over and leaned on the rail. What did it all mean? Negative thoughts overwhelmed him.
Sarge looked to the sky. “Not sure if they’re up there sitting on fluffy clouds playing harps after what we just witnessed.”
“I just want to know what’s going on—are we dealing with aliens or God?” Bruce pulled on the gold chain around his neck.
“Does it matter?” the Sarge asked.
Bruce turned to the Sarge, a false smile on his lips. “Maybe not. The end result is the same.”
“And what’s that?” Sarge headed towards the sofa on the deck.
“We will also be obliterated,” Bruce said.
Sarge took a seat on the sofa. Wiley was content to remain standing. “I don’t think we’ll be obliterated.”
“And why’s that?” Bruce asked.
“Once the dust settles and Adventus is left alone, I think we’ll exist side by side. The new and the old. I think we know who the superior power is, and we would be wise to leave it alone.” Wiley hoped they didn’t sense his uncertainty.
“I agree,” Sarge said. “We’re lucky we live where we live. We’re a long way from the Middle East.”
Wiley looked down at the shrubbery, where the pistol had fallen, but couldn’t see it. He checked the path near the shrubbery and followed it towards the back gate. As his eyes swept past the timber screen housing the swimming pool pump, he was sure he saw the outline of a person concealing themselves. That must be where the pistol was.
“Yes, we are.” Wiley lifted his finger to his lips and nodded towards the house.
They gave him a puzzled look but followed him inside.
Wiley shut the door after they entered. “There’s someone out there, and I think they’ve found Bruce’s pistol.
Bruce nodded and headed off to another room.
“Did you see someone, Wiley?” Sarge asked.
“Hiding behind a timber screen. But I couldn’t see the pistol we kicked over the edge, so I’ve sort of put two and two together.”
Bruce returned with a tablet device in his hand. “I’ve got CCTV cameras everywhere.” He raised his eyebrows and gave a shrug as if to indicate he didn’t understand why he needed so much security either. He swiped across the device and paused. He looked up at them both and laughed.
Wiley and the Sarge looked at each other.
“Well, I don’t think it’s Christians who have gone.” He used his thumb to point towards the backyard. “That’s my pastor from the church.” He laughed again and headed toward the back door. He opened and yelled. “Pastor Gil, I know you’re out there. Come and join us.”
Sarge and Wiley joined Bruce on the deck. Wiley hesitated. Was Pastor Gil in his normal state of mind? Or would he use the pistol?
“I remember now,” Wiley said to Sarge. “Bruce and I had chatted before about him going to church. He said he was infiltrating a local church. Took me a little while to get my head around it.”
“Yep, so what I see here doesn’t surprise me,” Bruce said. “In some cases, it was the blind leading the blind. I listened to a few of his sermons. I didn’t learn much about the Bible, but he preached a lot about how God would help me get wealthy.” He waved his arm around the house. “Maybe he was right.” Bruce cupped his hand around his mouth. “Pastor Gil!” There was no response.
“This one did have a problem with his ego,” Bruce said. “Loved the attention, especially from the ladies. Wouldn’t be surprised if there was a number of husbands out to get him.”
It was the first genuine smirk Wiley had seen on the man’s face.
Wiley detected movement in the yard, and a figure appeared out of some shrubbery near the pool and headed towards them, brushing leaves from his white t-shirt. He had a neatly trimmed beard and his eyes had a watery sparkle.
There was something uncomfortable about this man that made Wiley want to retreat. Were dark stormy clouds in the background an omen for what was coming?
“What are you up to, Pastor Gil?” Bruce asked.
“Trying to avoid the aliens.”
“Come inside. This is Wiley and Sarge.”
The men nodded.
The room was getting darker as the encroaching storm clouds absorbed the remaining daylight. Bruce spoke the words and the lights came on.
Pastor Gil looked impressed. “God spoke the world into existence.” He gave a nod and looked at the lights.
Wiley wasn’t sure what to take from that. Maybe it was in a pastor’s wiring to bring every conversation back to the subject of God.
Pastor Gil settled in quickly, too quickly, making himself at home. Wiley studied the man. He couldn’t explain, but this man had an aura about him that dragged people in. Wiley’s thoughts went to the aura glasses, but they were redundant now.
“What do you think about the present situation, Pastor Gil? Why are you still here?” Bruce asked.
