a searcher was not to be feared unless the search could not be directed to those living under their influence. The most logical possibilities had been sent detailed messages on the “truth” the Dark Master wanted Paul to find. Since Paul’s chest did not reveal the light inside, there was still great hope that he would continue to be a useful instrument for advancing the Dark Master’s agenda for Williams and ultimately, for America. The coming days would determine much.
Argon had been promoted to head the Dark Master’s forces in Williams for a reason. He had studied the human creatures since the rebellion and knew what to expect from one without the light inside. Paul’s first inquiry would be to his girlfriend, Samantha. She had been prepared by her Keeper. Paul was unknowingly walking into a trap – the first of what Argon hoped would be many leading him back to the camp from which he had been momentarily freed. His Keeper stayed close, waiting for the opportunity to again seize the place of influence, but for now, Simeon, his Guardian barred the way. Unknowingly Paul had been freed at the funeral, but freed for what?
The plan for the conversation with Samantha was simple and followed what the Dark Master had worked from the start in that garden of the Enemy’s long ago. It was easy then to cause the first two human creatures to respond to emotion. They reacted to their perceived needs, and in reality, planted desires. It was all a lie, but that didn’t matter because their feelings told them it was true, and when feelings rule, anything is possible. Without much effort, the Dark Master had turned that first woman called Eve to believe that the Enemy had lied to her and that she needed knowledge to be free of dependence on the Enemy. In those moments, she actually came to believe that she could replace the Enemy and become like Him. The man, Adam, stood there in silence doing nothing because of his feelings for the woman and ultimately joined her in her rebellion.6 He didn’t want to offend her. Peace with the woman was more important to him than the fact he was offending the Enemy.
The human creatures had not changed over the centuries. If anything, it had gotten easier. Samantha would be offended, hurt and ultimately lash out at her boyfriend. The target would feel guilt and desire to change to please the object of his affections and lust. The search would end quickly with influence reestablished. At least, that was the plan, and most of the time the plan worked.
Samantha was hurting. She was possessed by feelings of guilt and anger. Anger at her now-dead father who had not been there for her and guilt for the anger she felt. She felt a desperate need to be held and reassured by Paul for he, unlike her dad, had always been there for her since they began dating at the end of the fall semester of their sophomore year. Their friendship, which had blossomed into much more over the years, was her anchor.
What she saw was not what she expected. Paul was obviously agitated, troubled and tired. Was it reality or was it just a dream – a nightmare? He didn’t know. It seemed real. He knew what he had seen and was afraid to close his eyes. He didn’t want to see the dark creatures again. He was afraid they were coming for him. Samantha saw it even in the midst of all she was feeling. “Paul, what’s wrong? You look terrible,” was all she knew to say. Her great need within was being replaced by a desire to meet Paul’s.
He trembled and reached out for her. Samantha held him close and waited for him to speak. She wanted to reassure him but had no way of knowing how because she didn’t know what was wrong. She had never seen him this way. It was disarming for she truly cared for him.
In a few moments, the trembling ceased and Paul spoke in an almost hushed voice, timidly, “Samantha, did you see anything unusual at your Dad’s funeral? Did you see something standing behind the people or near me?”
“Like what, Paul? Did I see what?” Samantha responded.
It was as if a dam broke as the dream poured out of Paul. He trembled again as he described the great yellow hands with the large fingers reaching out for him to surround his head and pierce his skull. His description and obvious fear convinced Samantha that he had seen something.
Argon was alarmed. How could this human creature have seen the Keepers? They are spirit, nothing about them is physical. They should be invisible to this human. He thought he knew what was going to happen, at least, he knew the plan, but something was wrong. Already Samantha’s reactions were not as had been inspired. Then he saw it, another Guardian from the forces of light had been pushing a Keeper’s hands away from Samantha’s head. Influence had been lost, at least temporarily. Why did the Enemy care about these two? They were totally unchurched and had never expressed any interest in religion except to criticize those who claimed to be religious.
“Did you see anything around me?” she asked, now concerned about herself.
“I was not looking at you when I saw the dark things,” Paul responded. “I don’t know if they were after you. It all happened so fast. I was so frightened that I awoke screaming almost as quickly as I saw them.”
“Look, I have no clue what you saw or what the dream means, but if it were me, I would try to dismiss the whole thing as a bad dream and just forget it. It can’t be true.”
“But it isn’t that simple,” Paul explained. “It was real. I know it was real.”
“If that is what you really believe then you better find someone who can help you work through this and find some answers.”
“Who can I ask that won’t think I am nuts?”
“Perhaps Professor Thompson could help. He seems to be someone who would listen and who knows history well enough to give some perspective to this. If it is real, you can’t be the first. If it isn’t, then maybe he can put your mind at rest. Listen, Paul, I need you. You have to get beyond this.”
Argon smiled in agreement. “Professor Thompson has been very helpful over the years, and he has already been well prepared for this conversation. I wonder if Chaplain Forest will be next,” Argon said to the seemingly ever-present Zaccur. “Watch this. The answers Professor Thompson will give won’t be enough to end the search, but they will put doubt in the human’s mind. Forest is nothing. He won’t have answers either, and even if he did, he would be afraid to say. Forest is a people pleaser – no danger to the Dark Master’s agenda. We don’t even need the inspiration of a Keeper. He is of little use to either side,” he said.
Argon was still surprised by the action of the Enemy. Why had this human creature’s spiritual eyes been partially opened in a dream? What possible purpose could the Enemy have for these two? The Dark Master must be advised immediately. They cannot be allowed to obstruct his greater plan. He would suggest that perhaps they should inspire the shooter to remove these two. He quickly wrote another note, which he entrusted to Zaccur, who immediately sped away to carry the message.
Paul hugged Samantha one more time and then left for the campus to find Professor Thompson.
Others at Work
There were meetings all across the city that afternoon and evening with very different agendas and varying participants. At 1632 Washington Avenue, Officer Sally Johnson had completed her work on the marker board summarizing the investigators’ answer to her “WHAT NEXT” question. There were five entries which would guide the five task forces in leading the effort to stop the shooter and restore some level of peace and confidence to the city. They were:
1 Change the public perception of safety
2 Public involvement – real and perceived
3 Expand the investigation – draw on other law enforcement resources
4 Rapid response to future attacks
5 Damage control – contain the problem
It was a good list – a challenging agenda, thought Detective Samson. He liked that it attacked the entire problem, not simply focusing on catching the shooter. This problem had gone well beyond a single criminal spree and must be addressed as such. The order of priority was realistic. The most significant problem was public panic and fear, but they had to keep in mind the potential for expansion as others sought to join in, copy or use the opportunity to advance another even more violent agenda. And they still had to do whatever it