I sat up, my head clearing as the urgency of her voice penetrated the fog in my brain. “Are you okay?”
“It’s not me. The Council has a situation, and they need to see you.”
“The Council?” My heart started to pound.
The Council was the spiritual equivalent of the U.S. Supreme Court, appointed by the Lord himself. “What do they want with me?”
“Later. Right now, I need you to get dressed and meet with Brother Edwards.”
“Okay. Is he expecting me?”
“Yes. I have to go. See you soon.”
She hung up, and I was left staring at Bear, who seemed to be asking the same question as me. Who calls at four a.m.? I put my hands on her neck and ruffled her fur. “That was Rachel. You remember her, don’t you?”
She tilted her big head as though unsure of her answer. My memories of the beautiful, red-haired emissary from the Council were still very fresh, and despite my love for Mandy, I still had feelings for Rachel. I pushed both women from my head and climbed out of bed.
*******
When I arrived at Journey Chapel thirty minutes later, I noticed Buddy’s white Impala was parked next to Gary’s car. Apparently, he had received an early morning call as well, or he knew to be here through the Spirit. Buddy was creepy that way, always showing up just when he should.
Inside, Buddy greeted me with a hot cup of coffee. I took it gratefully. “Bless you, my friend. Did you get a call from Rachel also?”
Buddy shook his head. “Gary called me.”
Brother Gary was sitting behind his desk, a cup of coffee in one hand and the phone in the other. He had his back to us and was speaking in hushed tones. I nudged Buddy. “Do you know who he’s talking to?”
Buddy shook his head as Gary hung up, spun his chair around, and answered the question himself. “That was Miss Tanner. She was giving me the latest information on the situation.”
He stood and came around the desk, gripped my shoulder with his iron-worker hand, and fixed me with an intense stare. “I’m glad you’re here, Jack.”
“Gee, thanks, but why?”
“In a minute. Come sit with me and we’ll eat something.”
The three of us went to the easy chairs by the large wall of windows, grabbed a donut off the table, and stared out at the darkness. I was biting into my second donut when Gary broke the silence.
“There’s been a threat against the Council.”
I stopped chomping in mid-donut and looked at Buddy, who didn’t seem surprised, then at the pastor. “What kind of threat?”
“Two members have been threatened with death. The two men are currently in hiding until the Runner can be found and crossed over.”
I set the second half of my donut down, my appetite gone.
“A Runner is responsible for the threats?”
“Yes, but not just any Runner.”
“What’s special about this one?”
Gary sipped his coffee, then set it on the table. Crossing his hands in front of him like he was praying, he stared at me over his fingers.
“Do you remember the names you gave to Rachel Tanner?”
I did, and a sinking feeling began to attack the donut in my stomach. “Not specifically, but I remember the list you’re talking about. It was on the back of a note Harbinger left for me. What about them?”
“The Runner making the threat was on that list; Richard Douglas. He’s known as the Serpent.”
“The Serpent? Why?”
“He’s managed to stay a Runner for many years by ignoring all the rules. Even Harbinger had some restraint, but nothing is off limits for the Serpent.”
Greaaaat! A dirty fighter.
I rubbed my temples. “So, if they know who this guy is, why don’t they go after him?”
“They are, but they don’t know exactly where he is, and they need a powerful Chaser to take him on.”
I wasn’t the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but even I could figure out where this was going. “Me?”
“Yes. The Council feels you’re best equipped for the chase, especially in light of your victory over Harbinger.”
I stood up and started pacing the room. Buddy hadn’t said a word, but I could feel his gaze following me. I stopped and looked at him.
“What’s your role in this, Buddy? Are you going to fight by my side?”
He smiled. “Me? No, no, no. I’m here to accompany you on your trip to meet the Council.”
“You mean assuming I accept, don’t you?”
He nodded, but the look on his face said ‘When do you want to leave?’
I went over and took a seat facing Brother Gary. “There’s more to consider than just whether I should take the assignment or not. What about Mandy? We’re just beginning to work through things, and if I go off on a Chase, she’ll feel abandoned.”
Gary nodded. “I admit the timing is not great, but we don’t control when we’re called, the Lord does. Our job, and our privilege, is to say we will go.”
I felt like I’d come to a fork in the road, and one path was flooded out, but the other was dry. They’re saying I can try the flooded path, but they wouldn’t if they were me. They’re saying I have a choice, when they know only one path is truly open. I was wracking my brain, trying to find a boat that would let me take the flooded path, but nothing presented itself. I only had one choice.
“When do we leave?”
Gary stood and walked to his desk. “Two hours. Meet back here with clothes and necessities, and Buddy will guide you. I need to make a call.”
Buddy had also stood. “I’m going home to get ready. Is two hours enough time for you?”
“Yeah, I guess. I’ve got to call Mandy while I pack, but I should be back here on time. What about Bear, can I bring her?”
“I would.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in a couple hours.”
Buddy left and I sat finishing my coffee, trying to come up with the words to explain to Mandy why I had to leave. I already missed her and I hadn’t even left yet.
I waved at Gary and went out to the car. The sun was just coming up over the St. Louis skyline as I headed back to my house.
*******
Mandy was working the day shift, and I had to leave a message on her phone. I was due back at Journey in forty minutes and I hoped she wouldn’t be tied up that long. Ten minutes later, my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Jack, it’s me.”
“Hey, Mandy. Are you busy?”
“Not at the moment. I just got in after an arrest and I’m finishing the paperwork. What’s up?”
“I had a meeting this morning with Brother Edwards.”
“Oh? What was that about?”
“The Council has requested a meeting with me.”
“They’re the ones who sent Rachel to see you.”
Crap! She’s obviously not a detective because things slip past her.
“Yeah, that’s them.”
“So, are you going?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a choice?”
“Technically, yes…but not really.”
There was a long pause on her end, and I tried to imagine what she was thinking. I knew she wouldn’t be thrilled with me going away so soon, and the fact that Rachel would be there made it even worse, but I was counting on her understanding.
“I’ll miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you, too. I’m so sorry. I know it’s not a great time, but I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“You better be! More importantly, come back in one piece.”
I laughed. “Yes, ma’am. I love you.”
“I love you, too. I’ll be praying.”
“I was counting on that. Bye.”
“Bye.”
*******
If you drove a few hours southwest of St. Louis, you’d enter the Mark Twain National Forest. One and a half million acres of thick brush, deer, black bears, and trees. Especial
ly trees. I was driving the Ranchero, or as Buddy liked to call it, ‘the rust bucket.’
The name had dual meanings for Buddy. ‘Rust’ described the exterior color, while ‘bucket’ referred to the odd-sized pick-up bed in back. That bed was currently occupied by Bear, who was tied to a tether that prevented her from falling out, but still allowed her to move around safely.
Buddy was serving as my navigator but hadn’t given me a map or directions, just the occasional instruction. “Left here, then south on the highway.”
“Aren’t I going to need to know how to get there, anyway? Why don’t you give me the whole route?”
“Because.”
He loved to keep me in the dark, which happened to be the thing I hated most. “Because why?”
“You’ll see.”
I hate when he goes all mystery on me!
“When will I see?”
“Actually, you won’t see as much as you’ll feel.”
Buddy must have invented ‘talking in circles.’ “Feel?”
“That’s right. I did it and now it’s your turn.”
A light bulb went on, granted it was a dim one, but it came on nonetheless. “Wait. Is this some kind of test?”
For the first time since we left St. Louis, Buddy smiled. “Indeed.”
“Why?”
“I’ll explain after it’s over. Get off the highway at the next exit.”
I did as he said, and as I came to a stop at the rural road, I began to sense a tingling in my Chaser senses. At first, I thought it might be a Runner nearby, much like I’d feel whenever I was close on a chase. But this was different, more peaceful, not full of the anxiety that most Runners have.
Buddy was watching me. “Which way?”
“Right?”
Buddy looked away. “You’re driving.”
I paused for several more seconds, then turned right. We were on a forestry road that led back into the woods, winding deeper and deeper into the trees until we came upon another stop sign. The road forked and turned to dirt, and I could only go left or right. A small sign announced ‘State Road Maintenance Ends.’
Without asking, I turned left. Buddy remained silent, staring straight ahead, but regularly checking in the rearview mirror. Less than a mile later, my senses compelled me to stop the car in the middle of the road.
There was no sign of anyone around, just trees and quiet. I felt my gaze drawn to the right, and when I looked into the woods, a shimmer in the trees caught my eye.
“Do you see it?” my mentor asked.
“I think so.”
“Turn into it, but go slow.”
I did, and despite thinking there was not enough clearance for the Ranchero, I found a clear path opening up for me. We crept along for several hundred yards, passing through the shimmering vision, which Buddy explained was a spiritual door placed there by the Council. Suddenly, the tree canopy opened up and we came into a clearing. I was so surprised that I slammed on the brakes.
All around the open area were vehicles, parked as if a drive-in movie was showing, facing away from us. Bear started to whimper while Buddy broke into a big grin.
“Freaky, isn’t it?”
“Where are we?”
“At the current headquarters of the Council.”
“Current?”
“Yes, it’s never a permanent location. The purpose of the test was to see if you could follow the Spirit through the portal.”
“I gather I passed.”
“You did indeed. I had no doubt you would, but it’s important.”
“Why?”
“Because of the need for security. The complete directions are never broadcast to those who come to the Council. Instead, like they did this morning, they’ll send out directions to the general area. Only someone with the Chaser’s senses can find their way in.”
I thought about it for a minute. “Pretty clever, really.”
“Park over there.” I pulled into the spot he pointed at and turned off the car.
Buddy opened his door. “Come on. They’re waiting for us.”
Bear wanted to go, but Buddy shook his head. “Leave her in the shade and we’ll get her some water.”
“Sorry, girl. You heard the man.”
She lay down in the shade with a huff.
I’d gladly let her go in my place while I stayed in the shade.
Chapter 3
I’m not sure what I expected, but when we walked through a wooden door, the ceiling fell away, rising several hundred feet. I stood inside and stared at the expanse. We were inside a giant hall, much like someone had scooped out a mountain, and put a theater in it.
Groups of table and chairs were spread out in various corners of the room, and at several of the tables, small huddles of people were speaking in hush tones. Occasionally, someone would rise from a table and go through one of the many doors that surrounded the room.
At the far end of the cavern, a long wooden table stretched across a raised marble stage. I counted twelve chairs, all on the same side, facing toward the room. Candles that sat on the tables, along with many more hanging along the walls, cast a warm glow over the room.
Buddy let me take it in for a couple minutes before nudging my arm. “You ready?”
I gave him an incredulous look. “You said this is temporary?”
“Yes, but they haven’t had to move for a very long time. That’s why you’re here. They’re afraid the Serpent may have learned how to find the place.”
I saw a figure start toward us from across the room. There was no mistaking who it was. Rachel Tanner. Her long red hair flowed behind her as she walked, and those familiar green eyes twinkled as she drew close.
“Jack, great to see you!”
She hugged me and kissed my cheek. Thoughts of Mandy’s reaction to the greeting crossed my mind, but it was still good to see Rachel. She’d helped me prepare for the battle with Harbinger, and I was genuinely fond of her. “It’s good to see you, too. You look great.”
“Thank you, sir. Hi, Buddy.”
Buddy took Rachel’s hand and kissed it. “My pleasure to see you again, Miss Tanner.”
Rachel allowed a sly smile to crease her face. “You old flirt! I’ll tell Sarah on you.”
Buddy laughed. “Better for both us if you don’t!”
Rachel’s smile disappeared. “Are you ready, Jack?”
‘Butterflies’ would have been too nice a description for how I suddenly felt. It was more like there were angry condors flying around in my gut. “I guess.”
She touched my arm. “You’ll be fine. These are men of God, not ogres. You’ll like them. They already like you.”
She headed off across the room, Buddy and me falling in step behind her. I noticed several heads turn to look at us, and despite telling myself they were watching Rachel, I got the distinct impression they were actually sizing me up.
At a large wooden door just right of the stage, Rachel knocked. She hesitated briefly, then opened it and leaned inside. Closing the door around her slightly, she said something I couldn’t hear and then she ushered us in.
The room we entered was the exact opposite of the cavernous hall we just left. The roof was low, the candles few, and just a handful of armchairs filled the space. Three men were waiting, seated and staring.
All three appeared to be over sixty, with gray hair and worn faces. Each wore a long, maroon robe. I stood there fidgeting like a kid in the principal’s office.
The man in the middle got up, walked toward me, and extended his hand. “Jack Carter, so nice to meet you.”
I shook his hand as Rachel handled the introductions. “Jack, this is Councilman Paul. He holds office as Leader of the Council, and Paul is not his real name. For security reasons, among others, each member of the Council holds the title of one of Christ’s apostles.”
My head spun, but I managed to smile. “Nice to meet you, Sir.”
“The privilege is mine, Jack. Let me introduce my fellow Council
men. On the left is Matthew, and that’s John.” I nodded at the two sitting men. “It’s a privilege to meet you, Councilmen.”
John waved his hand dismissively. “Nonsense, Jack. We’re the ones who are grateful to you for coming. We need your help, not the other way around.”
I was stunned at the humility and warmth of these men. My nerves quickly calmed down, and my inner wise guy came out. “Cozy place you have here. Are you renting or do you own it?”
All three men along with Rachel laughed. Paul embraced Buddy. “It’s great to see you again, Buddy Daniels. How is your Sarah?”
“Still keeping me in line.”
Paul winked at me. “And a great debt we owe to her for that!”
Again, the room was filled with laughter; except for Rachel, who seemed to have disappeared. Paul pointed at two chairs near the end of the room. “Grab those and bring them over here, please. We need to talk.”
I did as he asked. Buddy sat in one and I in the other, while Paul retook his seat. When we were all settled, Paul bowed his head. “Let us pray.”
We followed suit, and I marveled as the man spoke to Jesus as if they’d just had lunch.
I guess that’s what He wants from us, but it’s hard to do.
“Lord Jesus, it is your servant Paul again. Lord, you know our needs before we say them. You know our hearts and our desires are toward you. We ask you, Lord, to strengthen and guide us. Grant to our brother Jack the wisdom and courage needed for this task and may your Spirit go before him in this battle. In Jesus name, Amen.” We all chimed in at Amen, and I took a nervous breath.
Paul’s lighthearted mood was gone, and in its place, I could see concern.
“Jack, we’ve asked you here to help us deal with a situation. How much did Brother Edwards tell you?”
“He said there’s a threat against two members of the Council, and that it came from a Runner named the Serpent.”
“Did he tell you the Serpent’s real name?”
“Richard Douglas.”
“Did you recognize the name?”
I shook my head. “No, but apparently it’s one of the names on the list I gave to Rachel.”
Paul leaned forward, staring intently into my eyes. “That’s correct, but there’s more.”
INNER DEMONS (THE CHASER CHRONICLES Book 4) Page 2
