by Lisa Grace
“Actually I was hoping for the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.” Johnny sounds disappointed.
I start to apologize when he turns around to look at me and says, “I’m joking.”
“You’re getting better at the humor thing,” I say. “Do you know where you’re going?” I ask, as Johnny winds through a neighborhood. “Yes.”
Johnny pulls up about a block away from Mandy’s house. “Oh, I get it! We’re going to follow Mandy and Alex.”
Johnny and Vania answer together, “Duh.”
“I see you’ve been picking up some slang and teenage angst from Vania.”
Johnny and Vania look at each other again and say, “Duh.”
“Okay. Okay. What exactly are we going to be doing tonight?”
Johnny speaks up, “You and Vania are going to try and save anyone who might be close to ODing. I’m going to try and stop Judas from harming anyone. If he tries to approach you or hurt you, I want you to start chanting ‘Judah’, over and over, as loud as you can. See if you can get the crowd doing it.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because in the Bible, God would change people’s names to make them more powerful and better suited to his purpose. He did it to Abram and Sarai. He changed it by adding the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, ‘Hei’, which sounds like an ‘H’. If we help change Judas, which means ‘betrayer’, to ‘Judah’, which means ‘Praise the Lord’, we might be able to break his power at least for tonight. Make sure the kids hear ‘Judah.’ I’ll help if I can.”
I have an idea. “Johnny, Give us a hand signal for chanting, ‘Judah.’”
He cups his hand up and open, so it forms a “J.” “You’ll know when the moment’s right.” He starts the car, “Here they come.”
We drive far enough behind them to follow, but not close enough for them to notice. I doubt Alex and Mandy would see an elephant tailing them, they are so into each other. About ten minutes later, we get to an industrial park with several low one-story buildings with rollup garage doors. A friend of my dad’s has a business here fixing up motorcycles on the side.
Johnny asks, “Do you know where the closest hospital to here is?”
I think before answering, “Yeah, ‘Morton Plant,’ take Drew to Missouri and cut over to Jeffords. It’s right there.”
“Good. Here are the keys for the car just in case.” I start to argue and point out that I’m fifteen, I can’t drive without an adult and Johnny turns to me, “Look, these kids are unsaved. If they die, it’s over for them. You need keys to drive, I don’t. I might be a little tied up with Judas and you might need to get these kids to the hospital fast. Okay?”
I absorb what Johnny’s saying, “Okay.” I check my cell and make sure it’s on vibrate.
“Let’s go.” Johnny gets out.
As I get out, Vania says, “Your new name is ‘Mal’ as in Malware. We’re going to make Judas malfunction.” I nod and let Vania and Johnny lead the way. I feel an adrenaline rush hit me like I just mainlined coffee.
Some kind of techno beat music greets us as we walk closer to the building. I can faintly make out some satanic lyrics as we get closer. Two beat up cars are blocking the doorway at the last building on the right. I smell something sweet burning as we get closer to the building. Some Goth kids are passing a cigarette between themselves. They’re inhaling then holding their breath. One starts to cough. I’ve never smelled it before, but they must be smoking pot. A tall guy with chains waves at Vania, “Who’s your friend? Want a hit?” He offers us the cigarette as we pass.
Vania nods her head no and holds out her pacifier necklace signifying she’s here to do X. She introduces me, “Malware this is Dodger.” No one seems to notice Johnny. He must have made himself invisible.
Dodger looks Vania up and down, “Maybe we can grind later on the dance floor.”
Vania smiles, “In your dreams.” We walk off towards the party.
Johnny grabs Vania and me each by an elbow, nods at the bouncer and guides us into the door. The music is deafening. I’m glad we have hand signals. Johnny heads to the bar and grabs us each a Redbull.
“Don’t drink it, it’s just for looks,” Johnny reminds us.
The lights dim even further and a disco ball shoots twinkling light everywhere. The place is getting pretty packed. I don’t recognize most of the kids. Glow sticks wave back and forth in the dark. With the pounding music and the strobe lights flashing, I feel I’ve been transported to another world. Kids on the dance floor appear to move in stop motion from the strobe light effect. Many are grinding their hips together to the rhythm of the music. Some touching. The drugs and the alcohol are definitely lowering people’s inhibitions. I watch one couple in amazement, wondering if they know what they look like. I get a quick look at their faces during the flashes of light from the strobe. I’m shocked. It’s Mandy and Alex. I look away to follow Johnny and Vania. We head back further into the crowd. I’m amazed at how well I blend in; nobody gives us a second look. Vania and I keep following Johnny deeper into the party.
We pass some smaller rooms that used to be offices. We duck in looking for anyone in trouble. Kids are drinking and popping various pills. Some are licking papers with stickers on them.
Vania puts her pacifier in her mouth. I unwrap the lollipop I brought, and suck on it. We stop to talk to some people Vania knows. I nod my head, pretending to be in on the conversation, but I can’t hear a thing. Vania has to bow her head and scream into the ears of the other Goths to be heard. They do the same with her. We walk around the party looking for Judas, doubling back to the front. I wonder briefly if he’s invisible, watching us. Then I think he wouldn’t want to miss out on hurting humans. So many of them are drugged out, easy pickings. We start a second circuit around the party. The music’s beat gets faster, and more kids join the gyrating group on the dance floor. The lyrics are definitely satanic. My egghead brain thinks this is how the start of ancient roman orgies must have felt. Some of the kids are drunk. They look unsteady on their feet.
The next time we get to the tiny offices I see Judas in the first one handing out drugs for cash. We quickly pull our heads out.
Four more doorways down, Johnny motions me in. Three kids are passed out on the floor obviously in trouble. Their eyes are rolled back up into their heads and they’re barely breathing. One of them is lying where he puked. Johnny makes the J signal to Vania, she nods and makes her way over to the DJ booth. Johnny bends down and picks up two guys one in each arm, he gestures me to pick up the remaining girl. As I do I notice my phone is buzzing. I can’t check my text and pick up the girl at the same time. I’m afraid to look. I’m afraid it’s from Judas. He’s only four doors down. If Judas catches me here, I’m afraid of what he’ll do. I push that thought back and do my best to follow Johnny back through the crowd.
As I’m carrying the girl and following Johnny, a guy flashes me the screen on his phone. It says, “Yell Judah.” All of a sudden, I hear Vania over the mike, her voice louder than the music, chanting “Judah, Judah, Judah.” Suddenly the place erupts with a thousand kids yelling “Judah,” over and over at the top of their lungs.
I see Judas come out of the back room. Some of the kids point him out and the crowd goes wild like he’s a rock star. They chant even louder. I can see the fury on his face. He’s yelling for them to stop. Kids in the crowd just think he’s being modest and keep up the chant. He pushes his way forward trying to reach Vania up on the DJ stand at the other end of the room. She gets down and heads for the exit. The chant now has a life of its own. It’s ringing throughout the building. One of the Goths steps in front of Judas, trying to speak to him, blocking Judas’ way. I look back in time to see him punch the Goth with all his fury, teeth and blood go flying. I knew Judas was violent. I didn’t expect to see his wrath in such a public place. Judas continues to pummel the kid with punches. Johnny finds us an exit and runs to get the car still carrying the two kids. I follow, trying to catch up. He drives b
ack to pick me up as I’m struggling to carry the girl.
Johnny yells, “Drive as fast as you can. I’m going back in for Vania.”
I look down at the ignition. The car’s on, but there is no key in the ignition. I stick the key in to make myself feel better. I put the car in gear and head toward the hospital with my comatose patients. All three are passed out. It’s deathly quiet. The car smells like puke. I drive as fast as I can and honk my horn as I go through a light that is turning red.
My heart is pounding as I pull up to the emergency room. I run in yelling, “Help, there are three people dying in my car! Get a gurney.” Immediately, one or two nurses run out to my car along with two paramedics who must have just dropped off a patient.
“What happened?” One of the nurses asks.
“They were drinking.” A thought pops into my mind, I know it’s from the Holy Spirit; “Someone slipped them GHB. Please treat them, please hurry. There’s still time to save them,” I say.
The paramedics are busy hooking them up to IVs and now a mixture of nurses and doctors are working on them. I hear a couple mention the alcohol and GHB.
Another nurse comes up, “Honey, what are their names?”
“I don’t know. I just saw them passed out and someone helped me load them into a car. I drove as fast as I could to get here.” The hospital staff is now rushing their patients into the hospital. Suddenly Johnny walks up to my side and says, “Get in, I’ll drive.”
I’m surprised to see him. I get in the car quickly and we drive away.
“Is Vania safe?” I ask.
“Yes. I went in and got her out. I got a couple of the kids from the party to give her a ride home. After that, the cops arrived and started arresting people. The Judah chant worked. Judas’ control was broken and he fled. The kids were so flustered by the cops coming in they didn’t think to move the rave elsewhere. When Judas’ hands were tied spiritually by the chant, his hold on the crowd was broken.”
Johnny smiles at me, “We averted a huge disaster today, ‘Praise God.’”
“Are those kids going to be okay?” I ask.
“They’ll survive, but there is still a battle going on for their souls.”
Johnny gets me to my house right before my ten-thirty curfew. Johnny escorts me to my front door and walks in with me. I turn to him and say, “Thank you for everything you’re doing to help us.”
Johnny smiles, “You’re welcome.”
“Do you know when this will be over?”
“When it’s over,” he says with another smile.
“Hey, you’re getting pretty good with the zingers now,” I smile.
“It helps to relieve the stress.”
“Yes, it does,” I agree.
We walk into the living room where my dad is watching TV. “Awful early for a costume party. Halloween isn’t for another three weeks.” Dad says.
“This is my new everyday look. How do you like it?”
“It’s you,” he says.
“Hello Mr. Laughlin.” Johnny says as he walks over and extends his hand to shake my dad’s.
“Goodnight Johnny.” My dad turns the TV down and gets up, “Johnny, I know you go to church. Which one do you go to?”
“I have a couple of them. There are some that really need my help.”
“What do you do for them–help out with the kids?”
“Sometimes, mainly whatever I’m asked to do.”
Of course, I know he’s referring to what God asks him to do. It sure is interesting watching angels interact with humans. Johnny says, “Goodnight,” and leaves.
My dad turns to me and says, “Honey, are you sure Seth has nothing to worry about?”
I’m so shocked I laugh, “Dad, trust me. Johnny does not like me in that way.”
My dad gives me a look like I’m being naïve. “Honey, you’re a very pretty girl. A lot of guys are going to try and be friends with you, hoping it develops into something more.”
Arguing with my dad is a lost cause. I can’t explain to him that Johnny is an angel and I can’t stop hanging around Johnny until the reason he’s here is gone.
“Dad! Vania, Johnny, Carrie, and I are all good friends. Nothing is going on. I’ve explained that Seth is my boyfriend and believe it or not, Johnny has a long distance relationship too. That’s one reason we can be friends because both our hearts are tied up elsewhere.”
“We’ll see,” my dad says.
I just roll my eyes. I can tell he still doesn’t believe me. I say goodnight and head toward the bathroom to take a shower. I can’t wait to take all this makeup off and get the goo out of my hair. I take so long in the shower that I run out of hot water. By the time I’m out and dressed for bed, I’m exhausted. I fall on the bed and sleep straight thru until morning. I meant to call Vania and talk to her, but in my exhaustion, I forgot.
***
The next day at church, I see Carrie. She comes up to me and says, “Did you hear about the rave?”
I truthfully answer, “No,” because I hadn’t heard anything about it.
“What happened?” I ask.
“Some mystery person dropped off a bunch of drugged out kids from our school at the hospital. They almost died. They’re still in the hospital, but they all should live. Anyway, rumor has it the kids got sick at that big party Jude was throwing.”
“Really? That’s awful. I hope the kids are okay.” I wish I could tell Carrie what’s really going on, but Johnny said not to. I trust his judgment because I know where it’s coming from. At least I have Vania I can confide in. Maybe Johnny’s helping her find a church to go to. I forgot to ask her this week if she wanted to come to church with us. I know her Mom probably won’t take her. Vania seems to be very independent out of necessity. I get the feeling she’s had a rough life. I’ll call her and make sure she’s okay as soon as I get home from church.
When I get home, I head up to my room for privacy. I dial Vania’s number. I get a disconnect signal. Now I’m worried. I go downstairs. Mom and Max are at the kitchen table working on his homework. “Mom can you drive me over to Vania’s house? Her phone isn’t working.”
“Honey, I can’t. I have to help your little brother with his science project for school.”
I can’t ask Dad. He’s taking his nap and insists on not being disturbed. This is awful. I can’t get in touch with Vania or Johnny. I guess I’ll just have to wait until one of them calls me. I don’t hear from either of them the rest of the weekend so I have to wait until lunch on Monday.
***
Monday morning I see Jude in the hall and manage to avoid him. I can see him out of the corner of my eye staring at me. I wonder what his next step will be. If I keep ignoring him, maybe he’ll just leave me alone. I wonder if he saw me at his rave or recognized me.
In my second class of course, he’s my lab partner. Jude turns to me, puts his head next to mine, and before I can react, he says, “How did you enjoy my party, Mouse?” He grabs my hand, gives it a squeeze and won’t let go. I figure I’ll nip this in the bud. I say loudly so everyone can hear, “Don’t touch me!” The teacher stops talking and everyone stares at us.
Jude keeps his cool and his smile gets bigger. He says, “Sorry, we just started dating and had our first fight. It’s my fault.”
I look at him in amazement. He’s so devious. I protest, “It’s not true!”
The teacher looks at me, obviously not believing me, because who would turn down the chance to date popular handsome Jude?
She says, “Megan, please keep your personal problems out of the classroom.”
When I get to the lunchroom all the kids are buzzing about how great the party was until the cops showed up. It turns out two of the three kids who got sick were in one of Carrie’s classes and some of Vania’s. I sit down. I can’t wait to tell them about what Jude’s trying to pull now.
Before I can open my mouth, Jude plops down next to me, puts his arm around my shoulder, and kisses me on the cheek in
front of everyone, saying, “Hi Mouse.”
I go to slap him, but he was expecting it and stands up behind me out of reach. From a few tables away I see how it could look like we are play fighting especially since he has his charming look going for him and he’s obviously enjoying himself.
Vania stands up and says, “Leave her alone!”
Jude looks around at all the kids watching us and says, “It’s just a lover’s quarrel. Vania stop being so jealous.”
Jude looks at me, squeezes my shoulders, and blows me a kiss while walking away. He speaks loudly making sure he’s the center of attention. “I’ll see you after school, Mouse, don’t be mad at me for not staying for lunch. I really have to finish my paper. If only you hadn’t worn me out this weekend. Love you Megan, bye baby.”
Carrie looks at me and says, “Wow, you’re going out with the cutest most popular guy in school. What happened to Seth?”
Vania and I speak up at the same time, “She’s not.”
“I’m not. Carrie believe me, this is a twisted game he’s playing. I was with Johnny and Vania most of the weekend and they know I have nothing to do with him.”
Johnny and Vania both answer, “True.”
Johnny says, “He’s trying to prove a point about messing with him. We kind of ruined his party this weekend.”
“You’re the ones who called the cops,” Carrie guesses.
“Sort of,” Johnny takes a bite of his sandwich and swallows before he continues, “Looks like he’s going to try and paint Vania as a jealous old girlfriend so Vania and I are going to pretend we’re dating. Luckily, Seth doesn’t go to school here, but with the internet, we’re going to have to do some damage control. Jude has played this game for a long time and he’s good at it.”
Math class I avoid going in until the last second, my hands full of books. I barely realize Jude’s hand is on my shoulder, giving the appearance that he’s walking into class with me, escorting me to my seat just like any other attentive boyfriend. My situation is unbelievable. If it weren’t happening to me, I wouldn’t believe it. Jude lets his hand linger on the back of my chair every chance he gets. I push it off once or twice. It just makes things worse.