5 Burst results for "Bishop Sinclair"
NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"bishop sinclair" Discussed on NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"Past him to the fifth figure in the room. She bit back a scream. A black mass of living shadow hulk dover markham the heat from before it came off the thing in waves and all her years. All of her visions. She'd never seen anything like it. Karen's phone rang. Markham came closer as did the blackness she cringed. He's not going to hurt you. Karen the bishop assured it wasn't markham. She was concerned with not anymore. The murderous nordic reached into her bag and confiscated her phone slipping in his jacket pocket. I'll deal with you later. Then to sinclair we need to go. He gathered at the squibb hornets. Jimmy left followed by the bishop will work something out. Sinclair said no karen. Thought you won't then when the nordic and thank goodness that shadow before the door closed trapping her. The shadow twisted like a snake the mound at the top. The head faced her shooting that unnatural. Heat her way that a horizontal crescent moon appeared perfectly. White pointed teeth flashed the cheshire cat from hell. Then they were gone. Reggie hung up his phone. Where are you karen. Damn it can. I help you sir. He turned embarrassed Darn it This darn phone. The man he faced was massive. Reggie was no small guy at six foot. Two two hundred eighty pounds. He dwarfed most people he met now. He knew how those folks felt. This security guard was shack sized. His skin was tanned bronze his hair light brown with is like olives. The strangest looking man reggie had ever seen. You seem lost sir. Can i help you with something. People milled around on be lines for heavenly duties open doors. Reggie scan their faces. I'm looking for my friend. Karen karen manning. Yeah how he tapped his earpiece. I heard her name over the radio earlier. I think she was taken to meet. Bishops sinclair. sl slipped out of him good. That's good. I should take you to her. The guard said then. Something in reggie flicked on a sudden need to get to karen and get to karen now. Can you do that. The guard nodded. Just stick close. They moved through the crowd with awed. Ease people stopped short or up to clear a direct path for them yet. No one even glanced their way in the four year. They detoured down a long corridor. Hey i'm reggie by the way. I didn't get your name. The guard gave him the warmest smile he'd seen in a long time. Just call me michael moments later. They were on a deserted floor. Reggie knew when he was somewhere he wasn't supposed to be don't you think they're in the sanctuary by now reggie asked. Michael opened a door at the end of the floor. Reggie followed and realized this was the bishop's office mike. No one's here man. The guard approach to bear wall and pressed his hand. Fingers splayed against the plaster turned to reggie and placed a small metal trinket in his poem. You'll need this. What he looked past michael at the door concealed in the wall a step closer and there was a familiar voice. Reggie slinked into the hidden room and saw care and tugging on a cuff that trapped her wrists to a table. He looked down to the tiny metal in his hand. A cuff key karen. He rushed forward ahead. Another vision reggie. He stopped shy of her. Just now no it's been a while you're fine still. He was hesitant early on in their friendship before he understood the nature of her abilities. He touched her while she was in the midst of a powerful ugly vision that day they both found out. Karen could not only see visions of the past and future but she became a cipher of the visions for a time. When reggie touched her he saw what she saw his mind. Couldn't take it. It was three days before he will go up again in a hospital with an iv snaking to his arm wehrley. His hand hovered toward her wrist. Like she was a hot oven and he was afraid of getting burned. He touched her snatched his hand back then touched her again nothing good. He unlocked her cuff while she filled him in on what was what in heavenly duty listening to her tale of bishops and clair's areas security chief. Planning to turn his harebrained scheme against him. He was again reminded of her burden and was secretly glad. The ability was hers and not his. She rubbed her raw wrist. How did you find me. The guard michael. Reggie intended to introduce his ally and found the larger office empty. He was right here. Karen pushed past him. Check the wall clock sinclair's going on soon. Would we need to do. Give me your phone. He handed it over. She said use the desk phone to call the cops and tell them what. Tell them you saw. A black man chases screaming white girl into the church. That should get the swat team down here. What are you going to do. reggie. I've got a date with a rifleman. He stiffened. i'm going with you know you're not look what rolling solo has done for you so far. She touched his hand. You can't come with me. Reggie i know what i have to do. And you don't want to be there when i do it. He didn't want to let her go but they'd been down this road before if she had a plan he had to trust her before he could relent. She was out the door. It took twenty minutes to find the entrance to the balcony. She'd seen in her vision. She ran into no resistance from security. No surprise there. Markham was the boss on these matters and since he was the only legitimate threat to bishop sinclair. Of course he'd want the guards gone which leaves me. she thought a rodent of fear scurrying along her intestines. She told reggie she knew she had to do. It was ally the truth. Reggie was her only friend and she didn't want to risk him in this business. The image of that smiling darkness was fresh in her mind. It was real as real as any vision. She'd ever had the forces at work. Here were sinister indeed. They were her load to carry creeping through heavenly duties upper level. She kept low in peered across the length of the balcony. It ring sanctuary. What some would call nosebleed seats currently unfinished and unused moving to the safety rail. She peaked at the illuminated. Pulpit below the crowd murmured while alive ban accompanied the low voices of mass choir ahead of them. All was the banner and the words from the vision that led her here power and purpose. There was no movement to her left. She crouched and backed behind a row of new stadium seats still wrapped in plastic and not yet bolted to the floor. Jimmy approached the railing with a long duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Karen didn't need to guess what was in it. He unloaded the rifle snapping pieces into place attaching a scope and testing the trigger. All while grinning and humming along with the choir whatever his disability his handling firearms was unhampered. Sinclair wasn't on yet. There was still time. She pulled out reggie cell and dial the number to the phone markham took from her.
NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"bishop sinclair" Discussed on NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"Absorbed it. The sensation wasn't physical. This was part of her gift a warning something wrong here. Mr markham sealed the door behind his little buddy and then focused on karen. What appears to be the problem. Bishop she glanced at sinclair. He couldn't even look her in the eye. She knows mr markham. i don't know how. But she knows about our plan. The world tilted sinclair's words and her heightened sensitivity to the present. Danger were almost too much to bear. She backpedaled collided with the wall. Used it for support while. She forced her breathing to regulate a fine sheen of sweat plastered her blouse to her chest and back. Why was it so hot. Markham spoke she does does she. His voice was high. Squeaky it made him no less intimidating. He shot the other blonde. Jimmy a look now. How did that happen. Jimmy shook his head frantically his previous grin morphing into a frown while a bit of drool slid from the corner of his mouth. Nah wasn't me was and jimmy. Karen didn't need her powers to recognize. Jimmy had intellectual disabilities. What the hell was going on here. We should call it off. Sinclair told markham. If there's a we shouldn't go through with this markham gave an easy smile. Our objective hasn't changed. Think of the good this will do. It's worth the risk. Karen found her voice. The good karen the bishops is begged her understanding. You've got it all wrong. No one's going to kill me. The bullets not even real what. It's a blink and He looked at the security chief for the proper word. A squib markham said. It's what they use in movies to make gunshots real at the work table. He picked up a harness and a bag of what looked like hospital blood. It's a low charge explosive and a packet of red corn syrup. bishops sinclair's in no danger whatsoever. Karen shook her head what she saw in. Her vision wasn't corn syrup in the future place. She could smell the copper stench. It was blood and it was real why she asked. Why this forgiveness karen sinclair said. It's all about his message. I'm going to have thirty thousand people under my roof today and my congregation isn't even at its peak. We're only going to rise higher but somewhere along the way his message got lost. It became about being in the cool church about getting your heavenly duty license plate holder. It's about being the heavenly duty choir. Director or chief financial officer people have started to look at our church like a country club. The in crowd belongs to heavenly duty. And we don't cotton to nobody's around here. Sinclair's is glistened. It never should have come to this. So you're going to fake an assassination. She asked it's come to that. Markham said it's not the assassination that makes this special. It's the assassin before she could question him. Jimmy began to bounce up and down. Like a hyper child. Point and shoot bam carrying could have made the attempt on sinclair's live herself right. Then tell me you don't intend to involve him in. This sinclair spoke with his voice. Hands channeling the energy that made him a world famous speaker. If you'll let me explain you'll see why it could only be him. People threaten my life all the time most recently members from the church of king christ he let that hang and she bit. She'd heard about them in the news lately the area and church right the officialdom of the church claims no knowledge of the threats of course but it's all semantics now isn't it. The lines have been drawn. There have been talks of riots. Even among my people she began to understand. Jimmy's bottle blonde locks. He wanted it to look like a shooter was connected to an area church. He needed to look aaron. She got that but not what sinclair hope to accomplish. When we do this. There will be horror and panic old testament terror. He said the true christians will be separated from the vengeful charlatans. We'll finally know who's been listening now. Caring was clear on one thing anyway. Sinclair was insane. You're doing this because you want to weed out the lukewarm 's she asked no. I'm doing this so i can save them. I thought only christ saved or is that just antics. To sinclair's eyes flickered he concealed the anger quickly. When i survive and i forgive jimmy for what he's done. My message will be stronger than ever. My followers will be stronger for it. Don't you see it won't work she bluffed. She knew more than any of them. It was going to work better than they dreamed. You'll be seen by medics and cops. They'll find the squibb. You'd be surprised. How many of our most trusted members are in law enforcement and emergency services. What about jimmy. He supposed to be ostracized. Maybe go to jill for your ego trip. Markham spoke up true followers. Make sacrifices to spread god's word besides we have strong ties to the legal community to we know the da personally someone. In jimmy's condition will never trial. This will work miss. She shook her head her resolve hardened no it won't because i won't let it. She made for the door but was halted by markham's medical light grip. The heat in the room went nuclear. This is not the future. It's the past gray in grainy. Like old news footage markham's here talking to men who like him. They nod laugh an over their heads. A crucifix hangs and the lord looks over their deeds with anguished is markham shakes the hand of another in the web between the thumb and forefinger of this other man's hand there's a swastika fast forward markham tinkers with a rifle he removes one set of rounds the blanks.
NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"bishop sinclair" Discussed on NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"Of course. She's a senior pastor here good. I'm her daughter karen manning. His eyes floated away then back to her. She didn't need psychic abilities to read the expression. He was skeptical. Well she would've left. Your tickets at the will call table. The doors will open it in our and you can. She dug into her handbag produced her ticket. I have this. I'm curious if my mother is here yet. I need to tell her something. His skepticism shifted to suspicion. I wouldn't have any way to confirm senior staff's arrival. That's not part of my job. I do know. Ms manning has a phone. I'm sure her daughter would have the number. She felt him shut down. The tunnel of cooperation contracted to a pinhole. The indirect approach wasn't going to work. Excuse me he turned away. Wait del raised an eyebrow in what now expression. I'm going to tell you something. I'm not crazy and here. She raised her ticket and toward half. I'm not even going in. So don't think i'm the one who's going to give you trouble but your security and if you choose not to act the consequences will be on you. Miss your making any sense. She linked close unwilling to let anyone else here. Someone's going to shoot horace and clear. They're going to do it when he goes on stage to open the conference. You have to warn him. Dale took a step back has expression was stone. Please care felt the tears coming. You have to believe me. don't move. The guard turned away and spoken to a communicator attached to his cuff. Karen could not hear what was said but when he faced her he nodded. Come with me. It was her. Turn for skepticism. Where someone wants to speak to you my mother. He shook his head and his face glowed eerie reverence. Bishops sinclair del ushered her inside heavenly duty through the front door. Some onlookers rushed the entrance and were halted by more guards. Curious shouting turned angry screams. Karen barely noticed this place. Marble tiled ceilings fifty feet high gold light fixtures with crystal ornaments a glass wall overlooking a sunken sanctuary. Concession stands a bookstore credit union employment office full service restaurant daycare and over the entrance to the worship hall a gargantuan portrait of the good bishop it was like the sistine chapel in staple center thrown in a blender and reggie's words. Holy leash it. This way miss del motion to an unmarked corridor. She shook off her all and followed. The hallway took them to a steel door marked private. Dale clipped his. Id badge and passed it. Over an electronic scanner mounted on the wall it buzzed and a bolt retracted in the frame. The door swung outward revealing brightly lit stairway. karen looked to the guard uncertain. It's all right. He said they ascended to heavenly duties. Second-floor this new level was less religious regal and more like a corporate call center gray carpet lead through a bay of unmanned cubicles on the far wall a series of locked doors barred them from darkened offices but one office was open and well lit wait here. Dale entered the room and closed the door. Karen was anxious but relieved. She'd never expected someone to actually listen and take action. Cooperation was so rare when it concerned things yet to pass the door open. Dale motioned her in as he left casting furtive glances over his shoulder. This office resembled the royal decor of heavenly duties lobby rich carpet. High ceilings. oil paintings in the patriarch himself. Bishop sinclair stared through his window. Troubled though it had been years since she'd been in his presence she believed time had taken a greater toll on her than him he had to be near the half-century mark but didn't look a day over thirty five. He wore gold frame spectacles over hazel eyes and only a few renegade strands of gray could be seen in his goatee. He offered a strange smile. When he told me jessica manning's daughter wanted to see me. I was a bit startled. I hope i don't offend you by saying this. But it's been so long since i last saw you. I've forgotten about you. Heat seared her cheeks. She hoped her complexion hid her blush. It has been awhile hasn't it. you've grown into a very beautiful woman. The spitting image of your mother. It was an honest compliment. Flattering with not even a hint of salaciousness with that karen got a glimpse of how a woman could become undone by the praise of such a powerful man somehow. She couldn't convince herself he ever took advantage of the affections of the women in his flock. He was one of the good ones and was going to save his life. As happy as i am to see you. Dale gave me some troubling information. He says it came from you. She swallowed yes. Someone i think someone is going to. He held up a hand not here. He motioned to the window and for the first time she noted the people on rooftops of a building in the distance the people and their cameras. Bishops glare rose and closed the blinds. It's funny there was a time. When only movie stars had to worry about paparazzi. Our country is so consumed with celebrity. The saying should be in tabloids. We trust bishop. He stopped her again. There was a newspaper article a few years back during the time. Mayor peppers was running for his second term. I spoke openly against his policies so he attempted to discredit me. Things i said in private appeared in the article out of context. At first i thought someone in my senior staff was leaking information. We later found out my office had been bugged that was taken into consideration when we design this building. The bishop move to what she assumed was a bear wall. He pressed on the plaster. Some sort of locking mechanism clicked and crevice appeared a hidden room. Gum he said. It's safe to talk in here. She stepped inside awed by the level of intrigue the bishops type of celebrity demanded. The room was a scaled down version of the main office. There was a desk small bookshelf. Console of security monitors and a work table littered with circuits and tools that smelled of oil. It was an odd set up the work table. More than the rest. But she's supposed it served its purpose especially today. As soon as he closed the door she vomited the words. Don't ask me how. I know what i'm about to say but you have to believe that there's going to be an attempt on your life. Someone's going to shoot you in front of your congregation. If you don't do something dear lowered. He needed his face was stiff fingers. That's what dale said. I prayed he'd gotten mixed up. It's true i swear. He side nodded. I believe you child at his desk. He scooped up the phone and thunder red button on. Its face mr markham. Come to the back room. Please bring jimmy with you. He placed the receiver back in the cradle. Who did you call our chief of security. His statement could have been an introduction for as soon as he said it the lock disengaged a linebacker sized blue eyed behemoth entered the room. His hair was long platinum and slicked back. A stark contrast bishop and the mostly black heavenly duty congregation. He looked nordic odin without the eye. Patch a shorter frailer blonde. The bottle variety. His die job was terrible. Tailed him once they were all in. The room felt too tight and hot. Karen found it difficult to breathe as if these men didn't just inhale the air but.
NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"bishop sinclair" Discussed on NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"From the breakfast table sobbing leaving her grandparents perplexed. Jessica came to a room. A sullen look on her face. Karen felt horrible for her mother. If karen felt this bat and she tried to help that man the guilt must have been destroying. Jessica who ignored the warning. The sympathy for her mother dried up quickly though. See what you've done mom asked. Karen was more confused than ever. We can sometimes speak things into being. That's why it is of the utmost importance to keep our minds focused on god and positively like bishops sinclair says. I don't know what made you tell that story yesterday. But she trailed off perhaps realizing the insanity of her logic. If only four moment. I don't want you to blame yourself. It must have been darren's time. The lord works in mysterious ways. Got no better over the years as she and her mother grew further apart. The visions grew stronger. Clear as an adult. She had more control over her ability. Amir touch wouldn't trigger the visions not unless the premonition was so horrible learn. Defenses could not fend it off like now. She tried to call her mother. Got her voicemail. Today is the day that the lord is made. You have reached the voicemail of jessica manning. I'm unable to take your call right now. But if you karen clicked end resile the number and let it ring three times. Today is a day voicemail again. Damn it reggie hovered over her. She often found comfort in his presence. His bulky girth and fuzzy beard always reminded her of blue the bear from the jungle book. It was what she loved most about him but today there was no comfort to be found. He fumbled for words. Are you sure about what you saw. Her eyes narrowed and he dropped his gaze. They'd known each other long enough. Been through enough for him to know her visions were never wrong. She paced the length of the apartment unsure of what to do next. She'd learned long ago. The police weren't an option she'd be written off as a nut and if the shooting went down her advanced knowledge would propel her to the top of the suspect lists if she could just get a hold of her mother despite their differences. Jessica manning like reggie knew her daughters visions were always on point even if she hated admitting it mom would make sure bishops sinclair was out of harm's way she valued his life over her own. Probably even over mine. Karen thought bitterly. She shook it off and try. Mom's phone again. Today is no luck reggie do. You have a suit unfortunately. Why because if. I can't get my mom on the phone tonight. We have to figure out a way to save horsing clear. He nodded slowly. Okay again suit. Why you're going to be my date to the power and purpose conference. The next eighteen hours were a blur of brainstorming. Caffeine and anxiety. Karen kept touching the autograph bible unsure of what she hoped to see. There were no more visions freeing her of this burden as far as our extraordinary gifts were concerned. Poor sinclair would die before his congregation. If she did not act it was eight in the morning before she gave into the inevitable. Go home and change reggie by nine thirty. Reggie was wedged in the passenger seat of her toyota. Prius looking like a clown car passenger was the plan. I don't know exactly talked security. Try to use mom's name for leverage. Sounds like a long shot. Maybe not she turned onto northwest boulevard. It would bring them up on the tail end of the new heavenly duty building. It's early conference doesn't start until eleven. Maybe we can make them listen if they're not too concerned with the crowd yet. Maybe as the blocks in the building sailed past them. karen couldn't help but notice. How dead portside was this early. On a sunday all was still the only movement was the wind through the branches of trees planted in the sidewalk in a way. It was ominous as if she was already too late. And instead of having the death of horror sinclair on her conscience it was the demise of the world that she'd failed to thwart karen. You will get this right. you're here. There's no crowd you'll get to a garden. Everything will be alright as they crested. The last block of squat buildings the gray shell and regal blue dome of the heavenly duty worship center floated into view. It was modern architecture at. Its finest a ball giant among square trolls. The air conditioning units alone were the size of karen's apartment. This is going to work. She whispered then. They pass the heavenly duty worship center and got a look at the front plaza. Holy shit reggie twisted in his seat and karen filter heart sink as she eased her car. To a halt there were hundreds possibly thousands of worshippers crowding the plaza. Bustling and conversing raising their arms in praise of the lord. They were joyful and emotion. Karen could not share these people. This crowd would slow her down possibly prevent her from doing her job and somewhere among them was a killer who would not be deterred. Find a place to park she said. I'm going to wade through this. See if i can track down someone. Insecurity reggie glance toward the throngs of people. Are you sure about this. She tried to look sure. I'll be fine. He was wedged behind the wheel of the tiny car looking even more awkward than he did in the passenger seat. How will i find you. Karen hilda pursell. You've got the number. She rounded the car and sank into the growing crowd of parishioners who looked like modern day royalty in the morning light karen blended well her enthusiasm for dress. Up was only slightly better than reggie's but attendance here required a little more than casual attire. She donned her tan linen. Pantsuit with a white blouse beneath one of the outfits. She kept on reserve for special occasions. Preventing homicide wasn't on her list of possible affairs when she purchased it but good fashion was prepared for anything. Her outfit looks in general war on her mind because it was on the mind of people men. She passed to find security. She wasn't a mind reader not by a long shot. she supposed. Her ability fell into the impact category. But even that was more glamorous than the reality of it every woman knew when she was being ogled it was an instinct developed around the same time. The body began to mature making a young girl a target for the scrupulous and unscrupulous alike for karen. It was a million times worse with her talent. Every unwelcome pair of eyes felt like a feather light hand pawing her flesh. She was subconsciously aware of every part of her body being assessed as she passed. Even the subtlest voyeur. Her face is breath stomach hips but and more often than she cared to consider her feet. She didn't even own a pair of open toed shoes. She'd learned long ago when her abilities were in their infancy. That this type of visual molestation was the nature of man that reason she usually avoided crowds. Something else she learned long ago. It was rarely any better at church with her skin crawling. She forced her way through. Suppressing the urge to scream there were times in the past when she hadn't been so successful and outburst here could ruin her chances. Stay cool girl thirty yards ahead. She spotted what she was looking for. He was tall in life in a navy. Blue blazer with the heavenly duty crest on his sleeve a wire coiled out of his collartoo abud in his ear secret service style as she approached. She felt her mind slip into a prayer her first one in a long time. Please god let this work. The guard faced her and immediately began undressing her with his eyes. She ignored the discomfort and went into her spiel. Excuse me sir. She is the name tag on his left label. Dale he smiled. What can help you with miss. Do you know jessica manning..
NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"bishop sinclair" Discussed on NIGHTLIGHT: A Horror Fiction Podcast
"Synthesizer music and a mass choir saying from her television speakers. It had to be your fiftieth time seeing the ad but it still entranced her. Just like the first karen. Un here her best friend. Reggie had a key to replace and no problem letting himself in. I'm coming into your bedroom. Don't be naked. He stuck his head in visibly relieved that she was indeed clothed and pajamas. His attention shifted to the screen. Is this it where karen pointed to the right of the screen as the video cut to a group of four three men one woman. That's her and blue. You look alike. She glared and turned up. The volume cumby enlightened at this four day celebration in conference at the grand opening of the new heavenly duty worship center. Horace sinclair invites you to change your life for now and forever bishop horace sinclair spiritual leader to thousands. Perhaps millions when you counted as television ministry. That's who the ad campaign was really for sinclair's power and purpose conference had been in the works for the last two years set to coincide with the grand opening of his new worship hall heavenly duty. It was a fifty million dollar mega church designed to hold a congregation of thirty thousand in the spiritual community. It was the biggest of big deals. All of the celebrities of gospel ministry and evangelism would be in attendance. Plus a crowd of eager worshippers could rival a super bowl audience including cairns enraptured mother. Her mom had been a loyal follower of the good bishop for most of karen's life from his original services in high school gyms to his first church in the suburbs of portside virginia. To now jessica. Manning was a servant to god i and horace sinclair second over the year. She established a place in the good bishops inner circle thus her prominent appearance in the power and purpose adds her access to church resources and the bishop himself had many of the other church members particularly the women dipping into the envy bucket of the seven deadly all despite having a daughter like karen. The ad ended with ticket and contact information. Though karen was willing to wager. There were no more tickets. It was long rumored the conference would sell out wasn't like there was much time left. It started tomorrow. She clicked the television off and turn to reggie will he asked. She raised an eyebrow. Well what are you going. Her gaze flitted to the two tickets wedged into the molding over her mere front row seats gift. For mom she shrugged. I think you should. He said i know what you think. It's easy for you to think that you didn't grow up with her. She searched for a word. Powerful enough to construe the years of degradation. She suffered at her mother's hands rants. She threw more scriptures in my face than those crazy apocalypse. Guys on the corners. Downtown things could be different now. I've seen bishop sinclair on. Tv and he focuses strongly on forgiveness. Maybe your mom has forgiven me. Her voice was hot venom. What exactly is she. Forgiving me four. Reggie he raised his hands. One palm out the other grasping a large padded manila envelope. It will never be said that reggie the wise does not know when to shut up. Karen angry at reggie for going where she didn't want to go but equally mad at herself for being angry at reggie hopped off the bed and disappeared into our walk in closet. It was easier to cool off when she couldn't see anyone when she couldn't feel the waves of emotion. Wafting off of them. She tugged the days. Close off hangers. What's that envelope you're holding. Don't know i grabbed your mail on the way up. Open it as she sifted through her denim. She heard the envelope rip. Then speak of the reggie caught himself and then finished. It's from your mom. She found him holding a leather bound. Bible and sheet of paper. Her note says god told me to send you this figures he cracked the bible's cover chuckled. What she asked. It's autographed by horace sinclair. The guy autographed bibles. The cynic in her nearly overloaded. Let me see. Reggie tossed it tour immediately. Took a turn for the worst. She felt the warmth immediately. The heat spread from her hands of her arms hit her chest and went supernova through the rest of her body. Reggie in her. Bedroom blinked away. There were people too many people. The aisles are choked. Some rush to the exits and others rushed the stage. There is already a crowd there though they huddle over someone she cannot see she can see. The blood drips over the edge of the stage. There's crying so much crying in the huddle. She sees her own face. Crows feet clutch the corners of her eyes and her mascara smeared. Karen doesn't wear makeup and she's yet to develop her first wrinkle. This is her mother's face horrified behind mom a banner of ten foot tall letters read power and purpose a sloppy bright red splatter fills the oh and power as if painted by child who hasn't yet learned to color inside the lines all becomes quiet the crowd at the stage including her mother turned to her and stare with pleading eyes she looks past them to what they conceal before a man with a ragged hole in his chest lies motionless gone from this world. Chorus sinclair the bible smack floor. Karen leapt backward banging her head against the closet door. She went lent in slid to her but her legs felt like cooked spaghetti and her breathing was ragged. Reggie knelt over her but did not touch not yet. What did you see. Someone's going to the images. Were still fresh in her mind. Still shocking ones going to kill horse and claire adrenaline flow through her. She sprang to her feet and sprinted around reggie in search of her cell had to call mom and her wake she heard reggie say why is it. Never the winning lotto numbers. The first time it happened she was eleven years old. They've been visiting her grandparents and in a small close knit community. Where most folks knew jessica manning and her precious little daughter. Karen it happens in the market when jessica bumped into an old friend from high school and began to chew the man's ear about her new church heavenly duty. Her is glossed over before he politely excused himself claiming a forgotten appointment. It was good to see you again. Jessica he shook moms hand then turned to karen you too little bear. He patted her head and she cringed not from the odd nickname but from the pictures flashing suddenly through her mind. She saw the man on a ladder trimming branches on a tree. An electrical line was tight rope through the foliage. He did not notice the wire until his trimmers into it and then it was too late. The man quickstep to the checkout line. Leaving jessica in his dust and karen nearly in tears. Mom he's in trouble. Mom's attention was on a leafy head of lettuce. You got that right. You can tell. He don't know jesus no. She told her mother which he instinctively knew to be the man's fate. If no one interceded on his behalf jessica manning her daughter out her expression unchanging. When karen was done jessica. Karen thought her mother would stop the man before he got away instead. She said i won't have you making up any more stories. No i'm not making it up. I saw it only. God can see the future little girl now. Stop this nonsense. karen panicked. She didn't want the man to get hurt and she also knew her mother said wasn't true she'd learned otherwise in sunday school. What about prophets. Mom they can her mother's palm cut off the words like a severed limb the slap echoed in aisles. Don't you ever try turn in the teachings of the lord to support lies. Do you hear me care and nodded through tears. The next day her grandpa. Tom delivered the news of darren. Tell fares electrocution while trimming branches off his sycamore.