by Robin M Helm
“Charlotte has taken a turn for the worse. Her parents took her to Mary Black Memorial Hospital here in Spartanburg this morning, and they have admitted her to the ICU. She is really sick. Do you mind if we stop in to see her before you take me home?” she asked anxiously.
He reached across the table and took her hand.
“Of course I do not mind. We can leave immediately if you wish.” His voice calmed her.
“Thank you,” she answered, standing to take her tray and empty it.
Xander took it from her and spoke gently. “Stay here for a moment. I will take the trays and come back for your packages.”
She gathered her things while he was gone, and then followed him with a small frown on her lovely face. He turned to find her behind him, and he reached for her bags, gathering the handles in one hand while he reached for her hand with the other.
“Elizabeth.” He spoke her name softly, and she turned her face up to look at him, her brown eyes glistening.
“It will be well. Charlotte will be fine.”
They walked hand-in-hand from the mall, and Xander never noticed the people staring.
Elizabeth does indeed distract him, thought Gabriel, walking behind them.
To quote her, ‘duh,’ replied Michael, his focus never leaving his charge.
~~oo~~
By the time Xander and Elizabeth arrived at the hospital, Charlotte was in a room in the ICU. Elizabeth and Xander joined Charlotte’s parents, Joshua, David, and Lynne in the waiting room. Skylar, Roark, Niall, and the other guardians greeted Xander, Michael, and Gabriel somberly.
How is she? What is wrong? asked Xander.
Her temperature is very high, and the doctors do not know what sickens her, answered Roark.
Dr. Walton, an infectious disease specialist who had been called in from Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, strode into the room. He had met Timothy and Laura Lucas with David and Lynne earlier in the day. He looked around the room and settled his gaze on the Lucases. “I’m not going to sugar coat this. Charlotte is extremely ill, and we cannot determine what is wrong with her. We have run every test that we can think of for viral and bacterial diseases, fungal infections, or parasites, and everything has come back negative. Her spinal tap, blood work, bone marrow test, and body scan didn’t show anything either. If we cannot bring her temperature down very soon, she will become unconscious. In fact, I have never seen an adult with a temperature this high who was still lucid and talking. The six hour window is nearly up, so the next thing will have to be an invasive method. I’m having her airlifted to Carolinas Medical in order to have a team of specialists working with me; the helicopter has already been dispatched to get her, and Charlotte will be there within the hour. I’ve already ordered critical fever care to be set up and waiting. When she becomes unconscious, you can expect that we will use an IV to circulate cold fluids through her system to bring the fever down to 105° in order to avoid brain damage while we do more testing.”
“Why can’t you do that now if it will lower her temperature?” asked Timothy.
“We must wait for her to be unconscious. If she were cognizant at the time, the pain would be so great that the shock could kill her.”
“Why would you leave her fever at 105°?” questioned Laura.
“Because we don’t know what is causing her extremely high temperature. We are hoping that her elevated fever will kill whatever it is.” He nodded, and exited the room quickly.
After the doctor left the room, there was complete silence for several seconds while everyone mulled over his words. It was obvious that Dr. Walton’s hopes for Charlotte’s survival were slim.
Laura took Timothy’s hand and looked at Elizabeth’s stricken face. “El, you haven’t seen Char since she became so ill. Would you like to go in and see her now? Tim and I will be following her to Carolinas Medical Center as soon as she leaves here. We can see her there. Your parents have already been in and spent some time with her.”
Xander saw the tears beginning to run down Elizabeth’s cheeks, and he put his arm around her. “Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, would you mind if I go in with Elizabeth to see Charlotte?” Michael placed his hand on Elizabeth’s back and whispered peace to her.
Timothy replied, “I think that would be good. El will need you.”
Xander nodded and left the waiting room with Elizabeth. Michael and Gabriel followed behind them.
As the couple entered Charlotte’s room, they noticed that a digital thermometer display by Charlotte’s bed read 106.5°, and she looked miserable and frightened. She had been placed between two cooling blankets filled with ice water that was constantly recycling, and plastic bags of ice had been put under her armpits, around her neck, and at her groin. The bags of ice were being changed regularly because her high body temperature quickly melted the ice. Charlotte shivered, but her temperature remained high.
Edward stood at the head of Charlotte’s bed, and beside him stood a tall, slender angel with white hair and violet eyes, dressed in a brilliant white robe. The willowy death angel nodded at Xander, Michael, and Gabriel.
Elizabeth stepped to Charlotte’s bedside and took her hand.
“El, I’m – afraid. You know – what – happens to – people whose – temperatures stay this – high for too – long.” Charlotte’s teeth chattered, and her breathing was labored. “I hurt – all over. Have – I died – and gone – to hell? – I’m so – tired. God – can heal – me if it is – His – will. El, pray – for – me?” Charlotte’s voice was weak and hoarse. Her body was stiff, her eyes unfocused.
Elizabeth shook her head. “I have no words; I cannot pray,” she choked out. Father, interpret my heart. It is too heavy for expression.
The tears rolled silently down Elizabeth’s cheeks. She looked up at Xander, her dark eyes imploring him. He moved to the other side of the bed and took Charlotte’s other hand.
Xander, prayer is no longer needed for Charlotte. The Father of All is calling her home to her reward, Gabriel said softly.
My Father said in Luke1:27, ‘For nothing will be impossible with God,’ and in James 4:2, ‘You do not have because you do not ask.’ I am claiming those verses, Xander answered with conviction. I feel led of God to pray for her.
Michael and Gabriel placed their hands on Elizabeth’s and Xander’s shoulders, while Edward put his hands on either side of Charlotte’s face.
In the waiting room, David began to pray aloud while the others bowed their heads, held hands, and joined him silently. The four guardian angels formed a circle around their charges, placing their hands on their shoulders.
Xander prayed quietly, with confidence that his prayer would be answered. “Father, I know that You love Charlotte, and I pray that You would show Yourself in a mighty way in this place today. I pray for her healing, in the name of Jesus, Jehovah-Rophe.”
As Xander continued to pray, simply talking to God and imploring Him to restore health to Charlotte, her temperature began to drop. Michael noticed it first. Amazing. Look at that. Gabriel and Edward lifted their heads and watched the numbers descend slowly. 106.2°, 106°, 105.8°. The angels began to glow, and the light filled the room as the Spirit touched Charlotte’s body. The light beings hummed their praise for the Healer, and the numbers continued to decrease as Xander prayed. 105.6°, 105.5°, 105.4°.
In the waiting room, David sensed the movement of the Spirit and raised his head. He realized that God was working a miracle. The hair stood up on the back of his neck as he gripped Lynne’s hand harder. She looked up at him, and he kept praying, his eyes open and his face lifted toward heaven.
Xander continued to talk to the Great Physician, asking for healing, and the numbers kept going down. 105.3°, 105.2°, 105.1°.
The digital display in Charlotte’s room showed the numbers going lower and lower. 105°, 104.9°, 104.8°. Still Xander prayed.
“El,” Charlotte whispered. Elizabeth lifted her head to look at her friend. Charlotte nodded at the numbe
rs behind Xander and smiled weakly. Elizabeth looked and watched as Xander interceded for her friend. 104.7°, 104.6°, 104.5°.
The nurses stationed in the ICU noticed the temperature numbers dropping on their monitor, and one of them walked to Charlotte’s room and looked in. She watched as Elizabeth and Charlotte were being led in prayer by a tall, muscular man, and her first thought was that he was an angel. The room seemed to glow around him, and his face was achingly beautiful. Mesmerized, she watched the numbers in quiet amazement. She had never before seen anything like it. 104.4°, 104.3°, 104.2°.
Xander thought of nothing except the power of the Almighty as he implored the Father for healing on behalf of Charlotte. He could feel the Master’s strength coursing through him to the young woman, and he knew that God was doing a wondrous work. He was compelled to keep praying, and the numbers moved steadily downward. 104.1°, 104°, 103.9°.
His prayer began to change as his Father led him. Instead of asking for Charlotte’s healing, Xander thanked Jehovah-Mephalti for touching her body and restoring her health. He never raised his voice; nothing was dramatic about the scene except for the numbers. 103.8°, 103.7°, 103.6°.
Xander had been praying for nearly five minutes by the time Charlotte’s temperature dipped below 100°. The violet-eyed angel, summoned back to heaven, spread his wings and drifted through the wall, in awe of the unusual events which had transpired this night. Death-bed healings had happened many times during the life of Christ and while the early church was being established, but seldom since then. Edward watched as the death angel departed, then returned his attention to his charge with a smile.
She is healed, Xander. The Great Physician has heard and answered, thought Michael.
Exhilarated, Xander lifted his head and beamed a beautiful smile at Charlotte.
I have never felt such vigor, such a great force, in all my existence, Michael. It was as if the healing power of God Himself flowed directly through me into Charlotte. The excitement in the usually staid Xander’s voice was electric.
I could hear the Holy Spirit directing your mind as you prayed, marveled Gabriel. It was much as it happened with the apostles two thousand years ago after Christ had ascended back into heaven. Are you fatigued?
Not at all. Quite to the contrary. I have never had such energy before. Xander contained his desire to soar through the walls and fly to the throne room. Instead, he bowed his head and expressed gratitude to his Father for allowing him to be a useful vessel.
Elizabeth bent to kiss Charlotte’s cheek. “Thank you, dear Lord, for healing my friend,” she whispered through her tears.
The nurse quietly closed the door, stopped by the nurses’ station a moment, and went to the waiting room. She hesitated before she approached the Lucases and the Bennets. David saw her enter and stopped praying, looking toward her expectantly. As the pastor fell silent, Charlotte’s parents also looked up and noticed the nurse.
“I don’t know quite what to say. Charlotte’s temperature is down to normal. I actually stood there and watched it drop as the young man prayed. We have called Dr. Walton to ask him what he wants to do. I’m sure that he’ll be in to talk with you as soon as he decides.” She walked to the door, hesitated, and turned back to the group of believers uncertainly.
“Rev. Bennet, I felt something in that room. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before, but, if anyone asked me, I’d have to say it was God. All of you are different from the other people I know. I want what you have. Could I come and talk to you tomorrow? I have to go back to work now.”
David smiled broadly and looked at her name tag. “Certainly, Amanda. I would love to answer your questions and tell you why we are different.” He reached into his pocket, took out his wallet, and pulled two cards from it. Handing one to her, he said, “Here are all my numbers. Call me anytime. Do you mind if I get your number as well?” She handed him a pen from her uniform pocket and dictated her cell number as David wrote it on the back of the other card.
She accepted her pen back from him, thanked him, and left the room.
As he turned back to the Lucases and Lynne while pocketing the card, David realized that just as he had witnessed the discovery of Elizabeth’s extraordinary gift of music, he had now seen a supernatural gift from God given to Xander.
David quoted I Corinthians 12:8-9, “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit.” He looked from one amazed face to another and said, “We have witnessed a miracle here tonight,” and he began to sing in a whisper, “I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You. Oh, my soul, rejoice.” The others joined him in softly singing, “Take joy, my King, in what You hear. May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.” 1 And the angels glowed ever brighter as they listened to the grateful praises that rose as incense to the throne of God.
Just as Amanda was opening the door back in ICU, she heard Charlotte speak up in a scratchy voice. “I’m feeling much better now, thank you, Xander. Now could one of you help me lose these cold blankets and ice packs before I freeze to death?”
A chuckle escaped Xander as Elizabeth wiped the tears from her eyes. “The old Char is back,” she laughed softly.
Amanda walked quickly to her bedside, smiling. “We’ll come in and do that right away. Tell your visitors good night now so that we can make you comfortable. Your parents can stay in the ICU waiting room. Dr. Walton will soon come in to tell you what he’s decided.”
Elizabeth leaned over and kissed her friend’s cheek again and again. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Char.”
“How can I miss you if you won’t go away?” joked Charlotte in a weary voice. Edward smiled.
“Love you, Char,” said Elizabeth, turning to leave.
“Love you, too, El. Thanks for praying for me, Xander. I have always been taught that the fervent prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much.” replied Charlotte softly, closing her eyes.
Michael spoke aloud to Edward, You will have two warriors with you from this moment forward. Charlotte has become a target because of her close friendship with Elizabeth. Edward nodded with a look of relief. Within seconds, two fully armored warriors were on either side of Charlotte’s bed.
Together, Xander and Elizabeth told Charlotte good night and quickly left, followed by Michael and Gabriel, stopping in the ICU waiting room to hug the others and talk for a few minutes. Laura Lucas hugged Xander, and Timothy shook his hand, smiling from ear to ear.
David put a hand on his shoulder. “Xander, do you understand what God just did through you?”
“I am not certain whether or not anything like this will ever happen again, Pastor, but it appears that for tonight at least, I have been given the gift of healing. I would ask that this would remain private among us. Others may come asking for healing, and I would not want to give them false hope. God will use me how and when He chooses to do so.” Xander spoke with humility.
“I think we could all agree to that, Xander. God will reveal His purpose for you when the time is right.” David looked around the room, and everyone nodded in agreement.
“You must be tired, Xander. El could ride home with us and save you the drive to Bethel,” David offered.
“Thank you, sir, but it is no trouble at all. Giving Elizabeth a ride home is a pleasure.”
David shook his hand and smiled. “I knew you would refuse, but I thought I would offer.”
Elizabeth took Xander’s hand as they told everyone good night, and the couple walked out together, followed by Michael and Gabriel. As soon as they arrived at the car, Elizabeth turned to Xander, taking his other hand as well. She looked up into his eyes with a look of adoration.
“Xander,” she said softly, “I know that God did the healing, but I wanted to thank you for being the sort of man that He could use in such a way. I think that was the most amazing thing that I have eve
r seen in my life, and I cannot tell you how happy I am to be with you.”
“Elizabeth, spending time with you is a miracle every day for me. ‘I thank God every time I think of you,’ to paraphrase the apostle Paul.” He freed her hands and drew her into his arms, holding her tightly. He could feel her body relax into his, releasing all the tension of the last hour. She put her cheek on his chest, and he kissed her hair, breathing in her scent. After a few minutes, he sighed, sorry to let her go.
“I think it is best if I drive you home now. It is getting late,” he said with regret obvious in his voice.
“I could always go with Mom and Dad,” she returned, laughing at his expression as she stepped out of his embrace.
“Not when I can spend another half hour with you by driving you home. Would you punish me now?” he teased as he opened the car door for her.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she replied, taking her seat and smiling at him.
~~oo~~
The spies inside and outside the hospital had watched and listened to the humans talk as Charlotte’s temperature had returned to normal. Jolon’s dart had been rendered powerless by the gift given to Xander. They flew away into the night, returning to Gregory to tell him that another weapon had been removed from their arsenal.
~~oo~~
1 “I Love You, Lord,” by Laurie Klein
Chapter 8
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
Spring 2008
Xander stood by his car, waiting impatiently for the police and glancing at his watch every few seconds. I am already late for class, and Elizabeth must be wondering where I am. He took out his cell phone and sent her a text message, explaining that he had been rear-ended on his way to Converse and would be there as soon as he could.
Calm yourself, Xander. The authorities will be here shortly, thought Gabriel, standing beside him.
How can I be calm, watching what is in that car with the driver and knowing that Gregory has had a hand in this? There is no telling what mischief he has planned.