Churchie’s voice interrupted Aaron’s inward focus. “I’m sure I just heard a voice within me . . . within my . . . soul.”

Churchie smiled. “What did the voice say?”

“Stop trying to work things out.”

Churchie nodded. “God is telling you to be still, Aaron. Distractions are the work of the enemy. Look around us. Our minds are constantly being bombarded. It never stops. Technology is working hard to keep our minds active. Not enough people are stopping to hear God’s voice, stopping to smell the roses.”

Churchie stood up and stretched and continued.

“Think of those people in the car that drove past. Their minds are being bombarded by meaningless lyrics, some that will stay with them all the days of their lives. You can see that yourself, Aaron. Listen for the words of old songs or jokes that drop into your head every now and then.”

Aaron, now also standing and stretching, nodded in understanding.

“Your mind can’t work out the things of God—the created can’t advise the Creator. Let him tell you or show you his ways, but you need to be still.”

“Okay . . . is she okay?”

“Yes, God is in charge. Let me pray for you.”

Aaron felt Churchie’s hand on his shoulder. Aaron tried to be still, but he didn’t realise how difficult it was.

“Lord of heaven and earth, we come before you and stand in awe of your power and majesty. Give this man a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that he may know you better. I ask, Father, that you protect his friend Mackenzie, a believer, that she would sense your presence and protection. I ask these things in the name of Jesus.”

Aaron nodded his agreement. They both raised their heads. Aaron looked into Churchie’s eyes. The river flowed, smoothly, quietly, with no booming or thumping.

It was time to go home. He sensed less urgency, as though realising that he was a tiny thing in this vast universe—an ant. Was that God giving him wisdom, revealing he was but an ant? He understood. We’re out of kilter. Man thinks too highly of himself.

He turned back and looked at Churchie. “How do you see those things?”

Churchie, now seated, indicated for Aaron to sit down again. “A good question . . . people think I’m crazy, but I do see angels and demons. You’d think it’s something easy to prove but it’s not. If I told you of a past event in your life that no one else knew, would you believe me? You’d be surprised—people need more than that. You know Jesus’ disciples didn’t really believe who he was even after the many miracles he performed. They were just as confused as you are, Aaron. ”

Aaron nodded. “Good to know.”

“His followers saw Jesus restore sight to the blind, raise the dead, and many other amazing things, yet it wasn’t until after his resurrection that they saw Jesus for who he really was. Some followers had inklings along the way. Do you know what the first miracle was that Jesus performed?”

“No, I don’t, Churchie, wouldn’t have the foggiest.”

“He turned water into wine.”

“Good person to have at a party.” Aaron regretted saying that. “Sorry, Churchie, that was a stupid thing to say.”

“It was, Aaron. I think God gave us wine as a pleasure but not something to be abused. Many forget that God’s watching over them. I’m sure drunkenness and its consequences grieve the Lord greatly. Aaron, my dad was a drunk and he abused me terribly. I became a drinker and had a terrible accident. It’s why I’m here. I have scars that are yet to be healed.”

Aaron thought of his own father and the good man he was. A spasm of guilt hit him. He was fortunate to have such a dad.

Churchie continued. “I vanished one night, like the stories you have been hearing. When I returned something must have happened to the wiring in my head. Whatever technology they used did something to me. You know, we’re a fragile species. Even the loud music those kids listen to can do damage at the cellular level, besides making them deaf.”

This was concerning. Mackenzie, Paul, his own dad: the technology had impacted all of them. No, more than concerning. Things were getting dangerous, very dangerous.

“I started seeing someone or something hanging around me. I was petrified, but eventually learned that he was my guardian angel and he’s been guarding me for years. That was over six months ago. The reverend of this church and my guardian angel have been teaching me all about Jesus, our great King. And with this, a feeling of peace that I can’t explain has descended upon me.”

Churchie dug around in his pockets, retrieved a packet of mints and offered one to Aaron. “Seeing these beings freaked me out, especially the demons. I can tell you what a frightening world it would be if God took away the controls that he has in place, because that’s what hell is, Aaron—a place without God’s presence or control. I still don’t understand why I can see such things, but I trust the Lord and He is increasing my understanding day by day.”

Aaron’s sucked on his mint and looked around—invisible things flying around? Crazy stuff. His dad came to believe in all this and yes, he was a changed man. Aaron just never gave it much credence. You only believe the things you want to believe. Be still, Aaron. He couldn’t. He wanted to know where Mackenzie was.

Churchie was looking at his mints but must have decided against another one. “Aaron, angels and demons have a greater influence on this world than most people are aware of. Something is happening in this city. More and more angels and demons are appearing. It is a war, Aaron, not one of flesh and blood, but a spiritual war against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. That’s from the Bible, Aaron and the battle is for our souls.”

Some of this was hard to grasp. Aaron looked at Churchie—those eyes held a peace, like he was looking at somebody else, someone far greater than Aaron could ever comprehend. Churchie’s eyes moved and looked at something above his shoulders. Churchie nodded.

“Aaron, the angel that has been with you has returned.”

Aaron turned and was trying to work out where the angel was positioned. He moved his hand behind him. Felt nothing.”

“Your hand went through him.”

“What’s his name?”

“Ethan.”

“Does he know where Mackenzie is?”

“Yes, but he is the bearer of bad news.”

<°)))><

Churchie struggled to keep up with Aaron, who was sprinting down the road. They reached the taped-off intersection, looked down the road, and saw the crowd gathering around another area. Aaron sprinted towards them.

Police were already pushing the crowd away. Aaron tried to squeeze through but was only able to catch a glimpse of what people were looking at. Two bodies lay on the ground.

Aaron gasped, covered his mouth and walked back. Churchie asked what he saw.

“Two bodies, Churchie. I’m sure one is Mackenzie . . . but they’re not moving.”

The emergency service vehicles arrived.

Aaron turned to Churchie. “You told me she was okay!”

“Calm down, Aaron. Remember, you were told by the Creator to be still. He’s at work here but we don’t know at this stage what that work is.”

“That girl means so much to me and it looks like she’s dead. So what could possibly be at work here?” Aaron stepped back and sat on a concrete bench. “I’m not sure about this religious stuff, Churchie . . . I’m sorry . . . this proves nothing to me.” He placed his head in his hands.

Churchie heard the sobs. He placed his hand on Aaron’s shoulder and said a silent prayer. Churchie’s angel appeared beside him and they both looked towards the scene. Ethan was hovering over the bodies. He turned and came towards them.”

Ethan settled next to Aaron. He stared at Aaron then turned towards Churchie and his angel. He spoke.

“Their spirits have departed, but to where, I do not know.”

Churchie was glad Aaron couldn’t hear that.