by Pam Funke
“Charlie?” she said gently looking into his eyes. “It’s going to be alright, you know. What you saw wasn’t real. How could it be? So what’s really going on with you Charlie?”
Charlie stared at her. He pushed her away as he got up to leave.
“Where are you going, Charlie?”
“Why? You don’t believe me anyway!” Charlie yelled running out of the room.
“Charlie,” she called after him. But Charlie had fled down the hallway.
“Should I go after him, Lord? I don’t think that he is in his right mind right now. I don’t know what to do, Lord. How can I possibly believe that he saw some kind of monster upstairs?”
The man stood in the hallway watching her. “And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority,” the man declared.
She looked at the man for a moment, then turned and hurried after Charlie. What did he mean by that? Who is he anyway? She looked back at the man, but he was gone. Strange. She had to find Charlie. After a few minutes of searching, she finally found him down in the cafeteria. He was sitting alone at a table in the corner.
“Charlie?” she called. Charlie looked up from his cup of coffee.
“What do you want?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I really do care about you, Charlie. You’re my friend and are important to me.”
Charlie took her hand. “I know that you do. I care about you too. We need to get out of here. This project is bad—really bad. They’ve done nothing but lie to us. I’m getting out while I still can; you ought to do the same.” He looked nervously around the cafeteria.
“Charlie, I don’t think it’s going to be that simple. Besides, what makes you think it is all a lie?”
“Please, will you just trust me?”
Charlie looked up. Someone appeared to be watching them near the doorway. I don’t like the way that man is looking at us. He may be one of Nicolaitanes’ cronies. I have to get out of here.
“Well, thanks for the cup of coffee. I really needed it. I have to get back to the lab now. See you later,” Charlie said loudly. He shook her hand and walked off towards the lab.
Now, what was that all about? She looked around the room. She walked to the counter to order a latte for Grant and herself. Something or someone must have spooked Charlie. I wonder which it was. What in the world was that man talking about in the hallway? I’m not sure. I wonder if it is somehow connected to Charlie’s odd behavior. It was really strange. She looked down at her watch at the time before hurrying back to the lab.
CHAPTER thirty-eight
General Ludlow walked around the room checking the various computer monitors. Satisfied that everything was in order, he turned and walked out of the room.
“You’re going to have to take care of Charlie, you know,” the voice said startling the General.
“What? What do you mean? Charlie’s a good kid.”
“He’s going to back out of this and I cannot let that happen. He’s a loose cannon and you are to take care of him. Are we clear?”
General Ludlow remained quiet as he stared off into the distance.
“I said are we clear, General Ludlow!”
“Yes, I understand.” The general appeared saddened by this revelation. He leaned against the wall to help steady himself as he took off the gear he was wearing.
Grant sat begrudgingly in front of his computer. The only reason I signed up for this project was for the opportunity to research the BTX and to find a cure. His heart was racing like a thoroughbred racehorse. He knew that he was partially to blame for the world’s impending doom. Grant had been blinded by greed—all he could see was his own personal gain. Grant had not wanted to think about the possibility of his creation being used for evil. He was in this too deep.
Grant was a scientist who believed that he could make a difference. In fact, this was why he became a research scientist in the first place. He wanted to be able to find cures for different diseases and conditions. He wanted to be able to help mankind. The sad thing is that prior to him accepting this assignment; he really had been doing research which made a difference. He and his fellow scientists had actually found a process that slowed the growth of cancer cells to where it was completely controllable without the need for chemotherapy. The scientists had thought that they were on the verge of finding a cure for cancer when the lab was shut down due to the lack of funding.
He had no idea as to what had happened to all the knowledge from the research, but he was sure that someone was using it to profit him or herself. Grant had been smart—as he had taken his portion of the research with him. Although whoever it was might have a part of the process they did not know how or why it worked; nor could they duplicate it. Grant could for he was the one who had created the process. Then Grant had been offered this assignment. He took it mainly for the money. His dream had been to open his own research lab and continue his work. But now, Grant wished that he had found another way to get the money. The work that he had done here, in the beginning, was good. They had created BTX, found out what exactly it was capable of doing, figured out how to destroy it and reverse the damage that it had done. Then with that research they had created a new strain of BTX that wasn’t as vulnerable as the previous strain was and it also was nearly impossible to destroy. That was when Grant realized that the military (this was who he thought wanted this project done) really wasn’t interested in all the research. He realized that they only wanted a new weapon of mass destruction. That was when he started doubting everything the General had told them—it was all a pack of lies.
I sure hope the General knows what he is doing. Once this is initiated it cannot be called back or terminated. This just does not seem right to me. I had hoped that he wanted us to create the BTX so we could study it and possibly find a cure for it. I wish that I had been wrong about him actually wanting to use it on people. “How could I have been so stupid as to believe the General’s lies? What else has he lied to us about?” Charlie mumbled.
Charlie sat at his station carefully watching the robotic arms transfer the BTX spores to the canisters. There could be no mistakes. With the completion of the transfer, he entered a command on his keyboard signaling another arm to close up the containers. When the green light came on, he nodded at Grant.
Like Grant, Charlie never should have agreed to be a part of this project. This is not what he wanted to use this research for. He wanted to find ways to cure people who were affected by biological warfare—not create new ways to kill them. Sure the pay was good and he definitely needed the money. One million dollars paid upfront and another five million when the job was completed. But what good was the money when he felt as though he was losing his very soul? Charlie was thoroughly losing his mind. Maybe that was it, the reason why I am seeing things.
Charlie had taken the assignment because the money would help his family, but this? It wasn’t worth it. Charlie would not even mind giving back the million dollars that he had already received. But would they let him walk away from this? This was not about the money anymore. The lack of money would not really matter much as his family had been broke more times often than not so what would one more time do? Who was he kidding, the money would make a great deal of difference to his family; but was it worth people’s lives, his soul? No, not really. He decided that he was definitely going to find out if he could still get out. He did not really know anything. He did not know where the missiles were targeting, he did not know any of the details of the operation, nor did he know who wanted this horrible thing done. He doubted that this was the General’s idea. He decided to go talk to the General. There was no harm in them letting him out of the contract.
“I will be back. I need to talk to the
General for a moment,” Charlie said as he stood up and walked towards the door.
“Okay, Charlie,” said Grant. I wonder what’s up with Charlie. He looks so nervous. I hope Charlie doesn’t do anything stupid.
Charlie, you should not talk to the General if it’s what I think it is. You should have just left. She watched Charlie leave the room. “I’ll be right back, Grant. I have to use the little girl’s room,” she said as she left the room. She decided to follow Charlie. Maybe she could talk Charlie out of doing anything stupid. She had a really bad feeling about this whole situation.
CHAPTER thirty-nine
Richard walked down to the men’s room. He was feeling really strange. He’d had a really weird feeling while he was in the room with the group; like he was in a room full of evil. He’d felt cold down to his very soul. The hairs on his whole body had stood on end. He had to get out of that room.
What is wrong with me? Richard walked over to the sink and splashed some cold water onto his face. He was beginning to feel a little better. He quickly looked around the bathroom; he was alone. There’s only one thing that will make me feel completely better. He knelt down on his knees and began to pray.
“Lord, I don’t know what’s going on with me, but You know. Please protect me from whatever is bad or evil in that room. Keep my eyes open to see the truth. Thank You. I ask these things in Jesus’ holy name. Amen,” Richard said.
He felt a lot better now. I thought that was what I needed. He took out his cell phone to make a quick call—he had entered Pastor Charles Henry’s number that morning. He selected the Pastor’s number and pushed send. Richard hoped he was available.
“You’ve reached Pastor Henry. How may I help you?”
“Pastor Henry, it’s Richard. The guy from the other night. Do you remember me?”
“Oh yes. How are you?”
“I am well. But I wanted to ask you something.”
“Yes, my son, what is it?”
“Is it possible for us to feel evil? I mean….can we as God’s people feel or sense if someone is evil or if evil is nearby?”
Pastor Henry was quiet for a few minutes.
“Pastor? Pastor Henry, are you still there?”
“I’m still here, Richard. I was just thinking about your question. Let me tell you a story. When I was a young teenager I worked at the local burger joint. A majority of my fellow coworkers were godly people; it was a pleasant work environment. Now, there were a few people who were not Christian, but we got along well together. The non-believers were even starting to ask questions about God. Anyway, one day while I was working a still small voice said that something evil was coming. It was weird to me at the time. The still small voice said not to look at it when it came in the door and not to touch it. A few minutes later, the door opened and all the hairs on my body stood on end. I felt cold down to my very soul. I don’t know what it looked like as I was looking down at the floor. I remember that it wore dark pants and a cloak of some kind. I don’t remember hearing anything that it spoke, but it must have said something because I rang up its’ food order. When it laid its money on the counter I remember thinking that the hands looked dead. The fingernails were black and dead. They were also long and pointy like. I remember how we (those of us who were Christian) all backed away from the counter then. No one wanted to be near it. Afterwards, when it had left, it was a few moments before the feeling of pure evil was gone. I remember that all of the godly people asked each other if they had felt the evil. What was amazing was that the ungodly people said that they had felt nothing and had seen a normal looking person; hands and all. They could not see the truth. I remember thinking that it had to be God that had shown us the truth and protected us from the evil. I never did figure out why it had come there in the first place. So to answer your question, yes I believe that God allows us to feel it as a warning.”
Richard didn’t know what to make of that story, but he was glad Pastor Henry had told him.
“Thank you, Pastor. I really appreciate your telling me that story. So there’s no way that the feeling could be wrong? It means that person is either evil or there’s something evil hanging around them, right?”
“No, Richard, I don’t believe the feeling could be wrong or made-up. If you are feeling this, I suggest you either stay away from the person or ask God to protect you when you are near them.”
“Thanks for the advice, Pastor. Do you think that you will have time to help me grow and learn more about God?”
Pastor Henry smiled. “I would be happy to. Why don’t you come to this evening’s Bible study? It’s at 730PM. Hope to see you there, Richard.”
“If I can get away from work, I will be there. Goodbye, Pastor.”
“Goodbye, Richard.”
Richard used the restroom and washed his hands. He needed to get back before he was missed. At least, this time, he would have the protection of God with him. He still wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do, but he knew God wanted him here for some purpose; he just had to figure out what that was.
CHAPTER forty
“Umm….General? General Ludlow?” Charlie called out as he hurried to catch up with the General.
“What is it, Charlie?”
“Can I talk to you for one brief moment?”
“If you make this really quick Charlie, we are on a schedule you know.”
Charlie followed the General into an empty office.
“Let’s make this quick Charlie! We do have more important things to do right now,” General Ludlow said sitting on the edge of the desk.
“Okay. Well….sir….it is like this. I have been seriously thinking about my options. What I would like to know is if it is not too late for me to get out? I will even give back all the money you have paid me so far. What I mean to say is that I have changed my mind. I would really like to get out of my contract. No hard feelings, right?”
Charlie watched the General’s face trying to read him. But the General’s face was neutral; he couldn’t tell what the General was thinking. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe he should just take it back and forget about having this conversation with the General. Charlie sighed heavily.
General Ludlow stood there staring at Charlie blankly. He was startled by Charlie’s confession; although he was feeling the same way right now, but not for the same reasons. General Ludlow did not really care about the lives that he was getting ready to destroy; he was just feeling a little guilty. He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head for a moment. He glanced at Charlie.
“Son, I know where you are coming from and I can sympathize with you. But, I honestly think that you should go back in there and do your job. You might say that it is a matter of life or death,” General Ludlow said.
“Sir?”
Charlie stood there looking at the puzzled look on General Ludlow’s face now. Something isn’t right. What is he thinking? “General Ludlow.…just….just….forget….oh, never mind,” Charlie said turning to leave the room.
“Charlie, you are a good kid and you have a lot of potential. Do this job well and I can see you going places in your career. If you don’t, well…are you sure that you want to throw it all away?” General Ludlow said starting to feel sorry for Charlie.
Charlie paused with his hand on the doorknob. He looked sadly at the General. He turned and walked slowly back towards the general.
“Sir I know that you mean well, however, I have thought this through and I think that it is best for everyone if I just get out now. If you are worried that I would tell anyone about this, don’t be. Remember that I first and foremost do not know anything—you made sure that I was kept in the dark. Secondly, that’s just not the kind of person I am, sir. I am not a snitch. There is nothing to worry about. You can trust me,” said Charlie warily.
He was beginning to feel a little uneasy. He almost wished he could rewind time and stop himself from having this conversation.
“You can trust me, sir,”
Charlie whispered timidly.
General Ludlow looked at Charlie slowly; a single tear ran down his cheek.
General Ludlow is creeping me out. I don’t like the way that he’s looking at me. What’s with the tear? Seems a little strange….something is not right. A look of deep fear overcame Charlie.
General Ludlow was not looking forward to this. He reached into his pocket for the hand gun and turned the safety off before pulling it out. He sighed deeply, cleared his throat and said, “Son, I am really sorry you feel this way. I am sorry that I have to do this.”
With that, he shot Charlie between the eyes. Charlie never even heard the shot which killed him. Someone was watching the conversation Charlie and General Ludlow were having through the small window in the door. She really wished that she had not stopped to see what was going on in the room. I can‘t believe he killed Charlie like that. What am I going to do? She quietly backed away from the door. She knew that she had to get out of there and quickly. She hurried back to the lab as fast as she could.
General Ludlow looked around the room. I really did not want to have to do this. I really liked that kid. I had hoped it would not have had to come to this. How did the voice know that Charlie wanted out? I am sure Charlie never discussed it with anyone. How is it that the voice seems to know so much? Just who is he anyway? He felt really bad now. He really had liked Charlie. He still could not believe that he had killed an unarmed man. What was the assignment turning him into? Was he turning into some kind of monster? Since when did he kill innocent people? What was wrong with him? This wasn’t who he was. This man, he did not know. He felt sad and confused.
“Well done General Ludlow,” the voice said startling General Ludlow.
“What?” General Ludlow said.
“I said well done my faithful servant. You will be rewarded well.”