Mark of the Seer (29 page)

He placed a hand to my forehead, releasing his calming essence to sedate me.

“You can't blame yourself over what happened Saturday,” he said, his lavender breath kissing my face. “What occurred is part of human life, one of the many unfortunate, unplanned scenarios that happen almost daily. Everyday there's murder, rape, abuse—the list goes on. The world is so full of evil there is no way you can stop them all.”

“I can try,” I spat out through clenched teeth, thinking on how evil had brought one town to its knees. How in just one night three demons took the hick town of Garlandton into their gruesome hands and, like paper, wadded it up and tossed it into the world's biggest garbage disposal.

“Don't let anger and rage fuel revenge,” he spoke softly. “Now that you know the truth and see what is at stake, you can make your decision to either ignore your gifts or to embrace them.” He sat down on the bed, his eyes never leaving mine. “Please don't let vengeful thoughts ignite in you a precipitous decision.”

“I've already made my decision, Sam,” I professed positively, looking him directly in the eye. “I'm in.”

He stared at me with his clear blue eyes, his expression blank.

“Are you sure?” he questioned carefully.

I lifted my chin. “I'm very sure,” I retorted confidently. “What happened Saturday opened my eyes completely. I'm alive because of God. I'm here with a plan and a purpose. I've got a second chance, and I'm definitely gonna take it. I want to join in the fight between good and evil. God wanted me...and now He's got me.”

Taking me by surprise, Sam leaned over and kissed my forehead, just barely touching the skin. “That's what He's been waiting to hear.”

Still feeling the warmth from his touch I asked, “Uh, so where are all the others? Ya know, the Seers?”

He grinned. “Eager to get started, huh?”

I felt my face flush. “Yeah, well, I figure it may be easier to have others around me that are, ya know,
like
me.”

“Ah,” he nodded in comprehension. “Soon.”

Quirking a brow I asked, “Soon what?”

He stood to his feet. “You'll be meeting them soon,” he elaborated, walking toward the door. “Brenton's on his way. I'd better get going.”

“Wait!”

He looked back at me.

“Hmm?”

I pondered, choosing my words carefully, not wanting to sound babyish.

“Just don't...don't go to far, 'kay?” So much for not sounding babyish.

He rolled his eyes and smiled. “Clarity, I already told you—I am where you are. Oh, almost forgot!” He reached into his pocket to retrieve something. Tossing it to me he said, “Here.”

Catching the item with my good arm I marveled at what it was, my body covering with goosebumps.

My sunflower necklace.

“Wow! How did...” I peered at him, speechless.

“You must have dropped it somewhere,” he said, winking.

A flash of light filled the room, and when it dimmed he was gone.

* * * *

Kevin's funeral was held on a Friday. A sunny, beautiful day with no storm clouds in sight. The whole town was there to pay their respects to a young man that was cut down in the prime of his high school life. A young man who had devoted his life to his family and put his faith in Jesus. A great athlete, a sincere friend, and a good son. An all-around good guy.

During it all, I watched a mother and father mourn their only son. A mother and father that had worked hard all their married life to give their son a good upbringing. They would have to live the rest of their lives without their son, knowing that every day they would wake up to find an empty bedroom at the end of the hall.

I witnessed Brenton, someone I loved and wanted to marry one day, fall to pieces at the sight of his best friend's casket being lowered into the ground. I held my best friend, Kora, as she grieved over the first guy ever that truly loved her for who she was. The only guy to treat her with respect, the way every girl in the world should be treated—like a princess. I knew that this was going to push her over the edge, but I was going to be there to help her through it. Just like I was going to be there for Janey, knowing that she had also lost someone in all the chaos.

I saw a town in shock. Who would have thought that a murder/suicide would happen in our quaint little town? What would fuel young people towards violence?

Questions flew every which way, but I knew there would never be answers. When darkness is involved, we humans have freewill to choose which path we want to take. Some of us decide to take the easiest path, giving in to the evil that is hidden in the shadows, waiting to pounce on the weakest of all humans. Some of us take the path full of hope and light, where each step we take is closely watched by the eyes of evil in hopes of bringing us down. But also in the path of lightness we have celestial beings protecting us every step of the way.

Nick's family took his body to their hometown of Atlanta. The Garlandton Press questioned Mr. Reece on what would have caused his son to kill someone and then himself. Just like the lawyer he was he answered, swiftly with:
No comment.

A candle vigil was held in honor of both Kevin and Nick that Friday night at Garlandton high school. I didn't go. I'd seen enough grief and sadness wafting through the town since that fateful night, like a virus that just wouldn't go away. I stayed home, wrapped myself in a blanket, and situated myself on the roof to gaze at the stars in the clear black sky. I thought on how much my life had changed, and on how more changes were on the way. If at that moment someone asked me where I saw my life in five years, I immediately knew the answer, an answer I'd read in the newspaper a couple of days before.

No. Comment.

Epilogue: A New Beginning

When the sun rises in the East a new day is born, leaving yesterday in the dust. A time for change, a time for new beginnings, a time to move forward and to not look back. Maybe for me, a chance for my life to get back to normal.

Wait a minute...Did I say normal? HA! What in the world was I thinking? No chance for normality in my life, especially since I'd decided to take my being a Seer more seriously. I mean really,
normal
? I was as far from normal as any human could possibly be. Being able to see into the spiritual realm, fight demons alongside angels, have visions and dreams sent from God Himself. I'd have to be crazy to think I was anywhere near normal, but you know what?

I'm totally cool with it.

OK, I'll admit that I have a lot to learn, but I'm not worried. What helps me to see a brighter future ahead is knowing that I'm not alone in this new chapter of my life.

We
are never alone.

When we fall flat on our faces and feel we can't go on, we need not worry. There is always someone there to help us up; the only problem is most of us don't think about the other world we cannot see. Most of the time we are too caught up in our mundane priorities to think about the heavenly angels by our sides, looking after us as we go through our days. Heck, some of us don't believe there are a heaven and a hell.

Well, let me tell you this—I'm a believer.

I've seen what comes from heaven, and I've seen what comes from hell. I've looked into the beautiful eyes of an angel. I've stared into the malicious eyes of demons.

I've seen what hell is capable of—anyone who watches the news can figure that out.

I still don't know why God has chosen this path for me, and I don't know what lies ahead, but there is one thing I am absolutely certain of...

This was the beginning of something great.

Acknowledgements

First, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior. Without your blessing and guidance, none of this would have been done.

To my husband, who helped me through the times I just wanted to give up and quit. Also, for all the work on the book cover and everything else I couldn't do. I love you.

To my mom Kay, for giving me advice and always being there when I needed you. You are the best mama in the world and I love you.

To my three children, for bringing me happiness and joy. You are the lights of my life.