“We have another deceased person on our hands,” he said. “Apparently, he pressed something on the briefcase he was holding, and then keeled over.”
“Sounds like another transfer gone wrong,” said Mackenzie.
“What do you mean,” asked the officer.
“It happened to me.”
“Are you the girl that . . . came back from the dead?”
Mackenzie nodded.
“But their bodies haven’t been transferred anywhere,” said the officer.
Aaron said, “That’s a good point. I would have expected Lucas, that’s the name of the man down there, to end up at my apartment in the city.”
Aaron watched as the officer raised his eyebrows but continued. “I have a theory. This is a pretty mean storm we’re experiencing at the moment. It must affect the communication channel that the devices use. So one question remains: are they in the same situation that Mackenzie ended up in?”
Aaron looked at Mackenzie.
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.
