Darkly Rising

by J. D. Matheny

  Dennis frowned slightly. “It would have been a pleasure to make her acquaintance.”

  “And she was deeply regretful that she was unable to accompany me to the door, Mr. Sykes. Unfortunately, she barely had time to bring me here tonight as she had prior engagement. She did ask that I extend her greeting, though. She looks forward to meeting you, and especially Jenny.” He turned his smile on her again, and the blush deepened.

  Dennis pretended not to notice, but he did notice. That fact was betrayed by the telltale sign of muscles working in his jaw. “I’ve heard no mention of a father from my young daughter.”

  So, this is going to be his tactic. Kai expected some form of sabotage this evening. He had a strong sense of the man. He had a strong sense of most people, and this preacher wasn’t just a typical father showing a tendency toward overprotection. This man saw him as the enemy. An invader come to take his property. There was truth in that, but this man couldn’t know just how true it was, and that irritated Kai.

  “Daddy, I don’t think . . .”

  “No, that’s OK, Jenny. It’s a fair enough question. He’s your father and he’s looking out for something incredibly precious. I would expect nothing less.” More blushes. “In truth, sir, my father died before I was born.”

  Dennis’s eyebrows arched up into a fine point. Kai knew what he was thinking. Should he continue this method of attack, or did he risk backfire by raising his daughter to Kai’s defense and bringing out her sympathy for his enemy? His choice would tell Kai much about the man he was dealing with. Would it be clever subterfuge or something more aggressive and heedless?

  “They were married?”

  “I’m fairly certain they weren’t, sir. Actually, my mother has been very stubborn about details where my father is concerned. I think she considers herself to be protecting me.”

  “I see.” He looked fully at his daughter for long seconds before turning his scrutiny back toward his guest. “Born out of wedlock. Keeping the father’s history a secret from the son. It all sounds very scandalous, does it not? Your mother is not a person of faith. Just as you are not a person of faith. Is that safe to say?”

  No, no, it is not a safe thing for you to say, is what he thought. He did not need his mother in the same way that she needed him, but he did love her. His mind flashed back to a vision that came from the black depths of his mind, a forearm, rippled in muscle, plunging down a man’s screaming mouth. The heat was rising in him, but he regarded the preacher coolly.

  “My mother is a kind person who treats everybody she comes across with equal respect, no matter their appearance or background. We could all learn a thing or two from her, I would imagine.” The preacher was aggressive, but he would be cleverer. His cuts would come cloaked in courtesy. “We are not religious people, to answer that question. Though I admit to a great deal of curiosity on the subject.”

  “Ah, yes. My Youth Pastor has informed me of your curiosity. As well as your method of pursuit toward the truth. It leaves something to be desired, in my esteemed opinion.”

  Kai cast a glance at Jenny, whose alarmed eyes darted back and forth between them. Her food was nearly untouched. Were she not present, he suspected this conversation would go much differently. “Forgive me, Mr. Sykes. It has long been my opinion that truth is not accessed by a spoon, but by a scalpel. Perhaps that method may seem barbaric, but the pursuit is honorable, in my humble opinion.”

  “I see,” said Dennis. He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his formidable chest. “You are not a provocateur, but a seeker of truth. Forgive me if I rushed to judgment, for those two things can be so easily confused. If it’s really truth you seek, you might do well to join us for some truth-telling this Sunday at worship. If you wish to see my daughter, you would do well to find the truth.”

  Kai flashed a brilliant smile at Jenny. “I would be happy to attend. I do wish to see your daughter.”

  Dennis and Jenny both grew red at that statement, but for two very different reason.

  While dinner was in progress, and moving along somewhat awkwardly, another dinner was taking place that was a decided success.

  “I was so nervous for this. Literally shaking in my shoes all afternoon.” She stared down at her food; she had ordered a roasted black Cod, with baby potatoes, and watercress. It was a delicious spread but at first, she’d done no more than push pieces around her plate. As the meal went on, and her stomach settled, she began to dig in enthusiastically. Food was memories, and this was a memory she intended to look back on fondly.

  “I can’t imagine that, not coming from somebody like you,” said Blaine. He looked genuinely perplexed. “You’re what the kids call a Dime-Piece. If anybody should be a nervous wreck, it should be me.”

  She swallowed down the last of her baby potatoes. “But you’re not.”

  “No. I mean, yes, I was nervous, but not as I would have expected. Listen, Sophie, at the risk of sounding like a romantic fool, I’ve been entranced with you since the first time you came into my shop.”

  Her face turned a charming shade of red and she searched her plate for another bite of food. Something to focus on, that would take her eyes away from his. She loved his eyes, they were kind, and such a beautiful shade of hazel. In fact, they were so much like . . .

  “I’m embarrassing myself, aren’t I?”

  “No. No, not at all. Sorry, it’s me who’s embarrassed. Honestly, I haven’t been on a date in so long that I’m trying to remember if there were footsteps on the moon at the time. I may have to go back to the discovery of the Americas.”

  He smiled, a crooked and utterly devastating smile, then reached across the table and gently took her hand. She didn’t resist.

  “Did you enjoy the float the other night?”

  She thought back to the night after Kai had gone to Youth Group. While he’d shut himself away in his room, she had slipped out for the short drive to her after-hours invitation.

  They had floated together, in the same room together, not the same tank together. Still, it had been intimate. The suggestion was his, but she never felt he was trying to get creepy with her. He had offered to let her shower and enter the tank prior to him coming in the room. Strangely enough, the idea had titillated her. Though they would be unable to see each other, entrapped in their own separate spaces, the idea of being even in the same room together while they were both naked had pushed her heart into overdrive. It had been so long since she’d experienced any level of romance.

  “I enjoyed it very much. More so than I would have believed.”

  This was moving much faster than expected, but curiously, she wasn’t frightened of the progress at all. It was proving easy to slip into this budding relationship. She should have been shocked, but she wasn’t. Not at all. And she knew why.

  Blaine reminded her of Jacob. A fact that she probably should have found disturbing and avoided. Surely there was some deep-seated triggers that would raise red flags to a shrink, if she had one. Instead of seeing a therapist, she did her own internal therapy, and her inner analyst was telling her that, after all this time, she hadn’t moved on. That she was still living in the past.

  And she didn’t care. It had been easy with Jacob, like slipping on a glove that had conformed perfectly to her hand after years of use. It was the same with Blaine, maybe because of his similarities to Jacob, maybe not. She didn’t care either way.

  “I feel the same way, Sophie. Since the first, really. Like it was inevitable that we would end up here. Sounds cheesy, I know, but I swear it’s the honest-to-goodness truth.” He squeezed her hand and dazzled her with another smile. Then he looked down at her plate.

  “Do you want some dessert? They have an amazing dark chocolate almond cake here.”

  “No, thank you. Sounds amazing but I’ve stuffed myself already. I think I’m just craving a cup of coffee.”

  “Oh, sure. Actually, that sounds good.” He raised his hand up to get the server’s attention.


  “Not here,” she said. A decision had been made and she was going to go with it.

  20

  The large gravel parking lot at the Faith Ministries church was packed full of vehicles, most of them bright, shiny, and newer models. It seemed to Sophie that this was a church for the affluent, those blessed by God and rewarded with plenty. After a trip up the hill and to the end of the lot and back, they had to settle for a return down the hill to park along the shoulder of the main road, then walking back up. Kai led the way, followed by Sophie and Thomas, who had shown an unexpected enthusiasm for attending with them.

  The church was large and prosperous looking, with a grand A-framed entrance full of dark wood beams and tinted glass. Out front of the doors, standing beside rows of colorful flowers, were three older couples, greeting all who entered and handing out pamphlets full of common prayers, popular hymns, and listing the various leadership and participants of the services. There at the top of the list was Pastor Dennis Sykes, followed by a youth pastor, an organist, ushers, and offering collectors. According to the information, the day’s sermon was titled “The Wrath and Mercy of a Loving God”.

  After taking a pamphlet, while smiling and shaking hands, Kai led them through the large front doors and into the throng. There were, to Sophie’s estimation, at least five hundred people gathered, many still talking in small groups, but most having found their seats. After the magical evening she had recently spent with Blaine, her cheeks blushed mightily just walking through the doors of church.

  Kai stood near the center aisle, scanning the room for a few moments before locating Jenny, who sat in the second row from the front. She waved and smiled. Kai smiled back and led the three of them to the front, where Jenny had saved a spot for them next to her.

  As they filed in to their seats, Kai made introductions and Jenny made a great first impression, smiling sweetly, her red hair shining, and her smile shy but friendly. He could plainly see that both his mother and uncle were impressed. He sat next to Jenny, with Sophie sitting beside him, and Uncle Tommy on the opposite end to Jenny.

  After five minutes of soft murmurs from the congregation, Pastor Sykes made his way to the podium, and a hush fell quickly over the gathered crowd. He donned no ceremonial robes, but dressed smartly in a shiny charcoal suit, with a white undershirt and bright red tie. There he stood, looking out over the crowd with a warm and welcoming smile upon his face. “Welcome brothers and sisters. It gladdens my heart to be back before you again.” There were several random agreements shouted back from the audience. Then the sermon started.

  For the next hour, Pastor Sykes boomed out passages from the Bible, discussing the wickedness of man and the powerful wrath of God that came in response. He spoke of the evil nature of man, and how God brought the flood to set things right. He spoke of the lewd nature of the Men of Sodom and how God brought fire and brimstone down upon the city. He spoke of the end times and the wicked being tormented with fire and sulphur. Through all the passages he read, the underlying cause of man’s sin that were highlighted were those of sexual immorality.

  Throughout the service, those sitting around Kai slowly loosened ties, fanned shirts, and unbuttoned the top button of their blouses. Jenny and Sophie especially spent much of the sermon fanning their shirts to drive some air down their flushed torsos.

  The message that Kai received was plain, and though it was completely expected, still caused his blood to boil. Sexual contact with a girl, with a particular girl, he understood, would lead to harsh judgment and harsher punishment. He smiled through it all. He smiled especially large whenever the good Pastor’s eyes met with his. Through it all, he held Jenny’s sweaty hand tightly at the side of his lap.

  At the end of the sermon, Pastor Sykes welcomed a session of question and answers. “The word and actions of our Good Lord are often seen as a mystery, but this does not need to be. Do not let questions go unanswered. Please, have the courage to stand and express your doubts or queries, and let the truth set you free.”

  Kai was the first one up, not hesitating for a moment, nor bothering to look around to see if another stood waiting around him.

  Pastor Sykes eyes bore into his like laser beams. “Speak, child. Ask your question.”

  “Pastor, I’m curious about a passage I read while studying the Bible.” Kai’s voice echoed out off the walls and tall ceiling. “The passage is Kings 2-23 through 2-25.”

  “Ah, a difficult passage for many to understand. You refer to the prophet Elisha cursing the youths who mocked him, resulting in God sending two bears to maul the offenders.”

  “That is the one. Why would God exact such harsh punishment, not only to youths, but to any man or woman for simply ridiculing another person?”

  Kai looked down at Jenny, whose lips were pursed and color flushed. To his other side, he could see Uncle Tommy watching him intently and his mother leafing through the Bible that had been provided to read the verses that he spoke of. Several of those among the congregation were following suit. On the pulpit, Reverend Sykes paced back and forth before offering his guidance.

  “Many who have read the passage understand the youths to be little children, but the translation and use in the Bible actually refers to young men in several places. Elisha himself was a prophet, on a mission for God to spread the Word to the people of Bethel, whose souls were in danger. By insulting Elisha, they were challenging the word of God. Thus, Elisha the prophet cursed them to be subjected to whatever justice our Lord saw fit. God does not suffer fools to stand in the way of his Love. His justice is swift and terrible, and was well-deserved.”

  “Terrible,” said Kai, “yes, I agree. If you might allow me one more question?” Kai stood tall and waited, those around him looking at him with sweaty faces and curious eyes.

  “Of course, child.”

  Child. “Mark 10-6 to 10-9 then.”

  There was silence but for the whispers of thin pages flipping throughout the large auditorium. Pastor Sykes simply watched Kai, unmoving.

  “Shall I read it for you, then,” asked Kai.

  “I’m aware of the passages. Was there a particular question you had about the Word?”

  “I’m curious, Pastor, about the joining of man and woman in one flesh. It says nothing of ceremony, or of asking for permission to marry. It seems the passage suggests that man and woman can join together, and they will be, in God’s eyes, man and wife.”

  Pastor Sykes again was silent, staring at Kai with barely contained malice. Then his attention shifted to his young daughter, seated next to Kai.

  Kai looked down at Jenny with a look of peaceful innocence on his face, then smiled. Jenny returned his look with a mixture of fear and fascination, before looking down at her lap. Kai noticed the corners of her mouth turn up as she did.

  “Throughout time there have been those who sought to interpret the Word of God to meet their own agendas,” the Pastor’s voice boomed out, “and that will continue until the end of time. Do not let yourselves be deceived, nor tempted to stray into immorality. God holds the sanctity of marriage in the highest regards and the swift and terrible justice of the Lord awaits those who lead the innocent into evil.” He focused his attention on Kai, and the fires of Hell itself seemed to burn in his eyes. “I would encourage you all to see the Light, and to tread carefully along the narrow path of righteousness, lest you fall into darkness.”

  Kai felt a tug at his sleeve and he pulled his attention away from Jenny, whose eyes were lost in his own. He looked at his mother, who seemed to be having an attack of indigestion.

  “Kai, what was all that? Why would you stand up and ask those questions in front of all these people?” She dabbed at two beads of sweat that trailed down her forehead, wiping them away before they could drop into her eyes.

  “I’m not sure what you mean, mother. Questions were welcomed, and the Bible is confusing. Who else would I ask, if not for the leader of the Church?” Before she could answer, he stood and shook hands with a coup
le behind them. “It appears that service is over. Shall we go?”

  Sophie and Thomas stood and were immediately engaged by outstretched hands and people welcoming them as newcomers to their church. Kai took the opportunity to turn his attention back to Jenny, who was standing next to him in silence. He took her hand again.

  “One flesh,” he said to her, bending down to breath hot words into her ear. “It sounds romantic, doesn’t it? Two bodies joining, coming together.”

  She remained quiet, but smiled, and he watched her cheeks light up like apples, and the red blush creep down her neck. After a moment in which she seemed to gather herself up, she stood on her tiptoes to bring herself to her fullest height, which still fell well short of his. He bent toward her again, catching the scent of lilac and warm flesh.

  “My father will be at his duties here at least until late afternoon. He always is. Always.” Her eyes stared at his.

  “That’s good.”

  He left her then, as the three of them made their way to the end of the pews and out to the wide central aisle. As he trailed behind Sophie and Thomas, and firm grip took him at the elbow.

  “A word, young man.”

  “Pastor Sykes, thank you so much for the guidance,” he said as he turned.

  “I hope you heed my guidance, Kai. It is easy to be led astray, and the results can be dire. Might I suggest something?”

  “Of course.” It wasn’t so much a question as it was a suggestion in itself.

  “I offer counseling. One on one counseling, for any who request or need it. I would like to offer my time to you. Just the two of us. We can meet here at the church. I have a private office in the back. This coming Saturday evening, seven o’clock.”

  “I think that would be splendid, sir.”

  “Then I look forward to you being there.” His eyes were stony and his jaw set, but after he spoke the words and turned away, his demeanor softened considerably and he melted into a throng of waiting admirers with a crocodile smile spread wide across his face.