She nodded. “I know, and we have a decision to make.”

<°)))><

How long Lucas was transfixed for, he didn’t know. He saw an ambulance arrive and saw what he thought was his own body being brought out to the vehicle. More of those creepy things were hanging around his body. The voices in his head were telling him it was okay to go into the darkness, but he was resisting.

He walked on. He didn’t know what to do except walk, and walk very carefully. He passed a property where a farmer was tying down things. His wife was out the door yelling at him, her apron and hair blowing in the wind. It reminded him of the image he had of his mother. How he wished she was here with him now. She had tried so hard to protect him from his dad. He knew she would protect him here. Please, Mum. The voice in his head told him he was a wimp, a wuss.

He saw a figure running towards him.

It was Tag.

Part 6 - Endings

Chapter 35

AARON SAT HAVING COFFEE with Mackenzie and the Rev, not far from the Rev’s church.

It had been a few days since the episode up in the hinterlands. The Rev had a meeting with the Police Commissioner regarding the bodies of Lucas and Tag, and he would be going to the mortuary later today. They decided that he should try the same thing he did for Mackenzie and Joshua. The Rev felt the same in his heart: God had confirmed his action.

The Rev looked at Aaron. “Our journey along the Roman Road is a slow one, Aaron. I can imagine with everything that’s going on, your eyes are being opened wide!”

Aaron nodded and thought of what he said to Lucas. “I really sensed evil when Lucas and I were having our confrontation. I told him that Mackenzie was covered in the blood of Jesus, and he went off the deep end. So I think I need to refine that.”

“Demons tremble at the name of Jesus,” said the Rev. “You did well, and yes, it is a refinement process. I’ll have to go soon but it really is important for you to continue down the Roman Road. The next verse I was going to tell you had to do with sin, in that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. So the payment for your sins is death. But there’s a gift waiting for you. Remember, a gift is like a present, something you receive from someone. Talk to Mackenzie about it.”

The Rev stood up, shook hands with Aaron and gave Mackenzie a hug. She told him to be careful.

They watched as the Rev headed off towards the church and crossed the road. Mackenzie let out a shriek as a cyclist ran a red light and nearly collided with the Rev. The Rev lost his balance and fell. The rider stopped and looked back.

<°)))><

A crowd had gathered. They could hear the Rev telling them all he was fine.

The cyclist and his bike stood next to the Rev. Many spectators were heckling him.

“Are you okay, Rev?” Aaron asked as he came over to him.

“I’m fine, Aaron. Just a bit of a shock.” The Rev turned to the bike rider. “Why do people like you run red lights?”

The cyclist looked at his watch. “I’m sorry, mister. It looks like you’re okay. I’m really sorry but I need to shoot. I have to get to an appointment.”

“Could you answer the question, mate? Why do you people run red lights?” Aaron said. He also wanted to know the answer. “Do you think you’re above the law or something?”

The cyclist made moves to go. Aaron grabbed his arm. “Listen mate, you nearly collected a friend of mine. You don’t seem too concerned about it, and seem more interested in getting to your appointment. Now, we don’t want you to be inconvenienced with what’s happened and have to stay and face up to your responsibility but could you just answer the question? We all want to know.”

The cyclist looked at Aaron’s hand on his arm. Aaron released his arm.

“I don’t know, I just do it. I’m into ethics not laws. As long as I don’t hurt or hit someone it’s okay. I see red lights as something telling me to yield, have a quick check, and then if no one is in danger, go for it. Now I’m sorry, I won’t do it again. But I do need to go.”

Aaron placed his hand on the bike’s handlebar. “So you’re telling us you’re a changed man, that this incident has taught you a lesson. For some reason I don’t believe that, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.”

“Tell me, mate, do you ever jaywalk?”

He was right. Aaron had broken laws before. He had just never focused on such things to the extent he was now.

“See. I’m not Robinson Crusoe. Lots of people break the law.” He looked down on Aaron’s hand, and then at Aaron.”

Aaron stepped back.

The cyclist looked at the Rev. “Look, I’m sorry. But I need to go.” The cyclist moved his body on to the bike.

They watched as he rode off.

Mackenzie tucked her arm in Aaron’s. He looked down at her. She gave a sigh. “Aaron, it’s all a bit close to home, this. I couldn’t help thinking of the minister and what he wanted to achieve with his technology. He wanted to stop people from breaking laws. You know, he may have been on to something. See how inconvenienced, put out, that person was starting to feel.”

They looked at the Rev. He was fine.

“Laws are there to protect us. But most people are a law unto themselves. The Lord knew this would happen. God’s law is written on their hearts. They choose not to obey them unless it suits them,” the Rev said.

Aaron watched Mackenzie nod in agreement.

<°)))><

Aaron and Mackenzie walked down to the Botanic Gardens. They sat at the river’s edge and stared at some of the moored boats. An expensive-looking yacht sat in the water. Aaron thought of the cost. Maybe it was a gift from someone. He thought of the gift the Rev spoke about.

“How do I get this gift, Kenz . . . the one the Rev spoke about?”

“It’s all about Jesus, Aaron. It’s about what he did on the cross and you seeking forgiveness and believing in him. This all comes from the heart. God will soften your heart and give you understanding—you just need to ask him. God sees your heart, Aaron. He knows if it is genuine or not.”

Aaron watched as she grabbed a piece of paper and pen from her bag and then looked up at him. “Why am I doing this? We have technology. Open up the notes app on your smartphone, Aaron.”

Aaron did as Mackenzie suggested.

“Type in Romans 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10. Remember, the first number is chapter, followed by the verse. Study those verses and we can discuss them next time we meet.”

“I have to meet Mum soon. Let’s go, we pass your place on the way there, I can drop you off.”

They reached the M on Mary. Mackenzie gave Aaron a hug and told him that she loved him. “You can also download a Bible app for your phone.” She gave him a wink and off she went.

Aaron smiled and watched her walking off. She was safe now. The technology was locked up in some super-secure Defence establishment. What would Defence do with the technology? Aaron was sure that modern warfare would make use of the technology. He was also sure that some world powers were hovering.

He watched Mackenzie crossing the road. Saw some more jaywalkers. What was that minister’s goal? To stop people breaking laws? Most people were a law unto themselves. They do things their own way and follow their own ideas about how to live, instead of following laws or customs. What can we do? The minister had a plan—it just wasn’t well thought-out. It was clouded by things, emotions, feelings. He wondered about the other person, the Professor. What were his intentions?

Chapter 36

ABOUT AN HOUR SOUTH of Brisbane city, a coastline of golden beaches stretches for fifty-seven kilometres. The coastline was given a name by real estate investors: they called it the Gold Coast. Aaron and Mackenzie were heading there for a day trip.

Aaron wanted to stop off at Eight Mile Plains on the way, to share some things with Mackenzie and pay his respects.