Getting to know one another.

by papa55mike

Background
Gabriel Hope Leads a formidable team of Angels and Walkers through the Spirit Realm on a dangerous mission to India.

End of Chapter 3

Both of them stopped at the entrance, stunned, then turn to Gabe, Michael, and Pete. Micheal steps forward and says, "Welcome, Cal Cummings and Cris Turner. You are among my friends. My name is Michael, and this is Gabriel Hope and Pastor Pete Helms."

Cris is too stunned to speak, so Cal asks, "How do you know our names?"

Gabe speaks up. "Have you ever heard of Michael in the Bible?"

Cris answers, "Yes, The Archangel and General of the Lord's armies."

Gabe shakes his head and answers, "Bingo."

Chapter 4

Pete breaks the awkward silence. "Come on, guys. Gabe has prepared a fantastic lunch for all of us, and I'm sure you would like to get some of the road grime off of you. We have a shower with plenty of towels and about everything you might need."

"Then," Gabe speaks up. "You can make camp under the old Oak. We have much to talk about."

Cris smiles at Cal. "I don't know about you, but I could eat the back end of a cow."

"Well," Cal shakes her head. "I can't remember the last time I ate a home-cooked meal. Thank you."

~

The shadows have lengthened while the sun continues to set in the sky. The remaining light enhances Cal's face showing the true beauty that she tries to keep hidden. She brushes her long brown hair then begins to braid her ponytail. Sunlight catches the fire that burns in her dark eyes. Cris is astonished by her beauty and starts to say, "You know, you're a . . . "

"From you, too." Cal rips into him. "If you say that I'm a long drink of water, or you want to climb this mountain or any other sexist remark about my butt. I'll reach down your throat and rip your heart out, then slam it in your face!"

"Okay." Cris backs up. "I only wanted to say that you're a lovely woman. You remind me of my late wife."

"I'm sorry," Cal blushes a little. "You wouldn't believe the things I've heard on this journey. You have no family, either?"

"Only a brother that lives in Montana that I never hear from." Cris sits down by the small fire across from Cal.

"That's all of us. Gabe and Pete lost their wives in a church bus crash. Pete's daughter died a few months later. Bandits killed my family in the mission fields in Africa five years ago. How did your wife die?"

"Dani and Sam died in a plane crash three years ago."

"Then it's true. The Lord only uses people who have lost everything to become Walkers."

"What's a Walker, Cal?"

"I guess that's us. I know that after my Mother and Father died, the Holy Spirit asked me to give up everything and follow him. So, I sold my apartment, settled all my debts, then let the Spirit guide my every step."

"My story is the same. After the plane crash, I sold our house, which I didn't want anymore, and bought some camping gear. Then, I started walking the rural roads of North Carolina. During my travels, the Lord has led me to help so many police departments throughout the Carolinas. What were you doing?"

"Rescuing young women from their pimps all over California. Gabe said there were twelve Walkers altogether. Three of us are here. So, nine more people are walking for the Lord somewhere else in the world. Amazing!"

"Gabe told you all of this?"

"Yeah, we talked for thirty minutes before supper. That Pearlie sure can cook."

"I haven't fried chicken like that since my grandmother passed away."

"Man, does she have her hooks in Gabe. They're to be married in a month or so."

"Pearlie is a beautiful woman, Cal, but that beehive hairdo is something else."

"That's her fashion statement, Cris. I love the plastic flowers in it."

Suddenly, laughter comes from the back of the church when Michael steps out the back door to the living quarters. Michael says, "That will release a burden off of my mind, Miss Pearlie. Thank you." With a big smile, Michael strolls over to where Cris and Cal are sitting. He asks, "May I sit by your fire?"

"Sure," Cris answers. "Cal made it. That's not one of my things."

"Thank you," Michael sits down. "I thought we would talk about our mission. That is if you wish to join us."

"Gabe told me some of it." Cal puts some more wood on the fire. "A trip through the Spirit Realm to India."

"That's part of it," Michael settles himself. "I also want you to know what enemies stand before us."

"I'm familiar with the Spirit Realm, but how was it formed?" Cal asks.

"Of course, you know we live in an earthly realm surrounded by three heavens. The first heaven is where the birds fly, clouds drift by, and storms form. The second heaven is your outer space, full of planets, moons, and stars. The third heaven is where God's throne exists, my home, heaven. When Lucifer fell like lightning from heaven, it created another realm that exists beside the earth. A parallel world."

Cris asks, "Isn't it true that God's holiness would destroy everything if he were too close to the earth?"

"Yes, His presence would devour both worlds because of sin. Good question. There are doors to the other realm around the world. One such portal is within a mile from where we are. Satan uses these entries to walk the surface of the earth to tempt and destroy. He even lured Gabriel there to kill him and almost succeeded. The devastation in that other world is immense. Whatever man builds here appears there, and Satan has his demons quickly obliterate it unless they find it useful."

Cal asks, "I've read that there are several classifications of demons. Is that true?"

"Sadly, it is. Satan has his generals, Beelzebub commands all of his Armies. Under him are Leviathon, Asmodeus, Astaroth, Berith, and many more Supreme Demons. The worst of their soldiers are the Legions and Familiars. Legions are skeletal-looking creatures, lethargically marching through the land, searching for any warrior looking for a fight. But don't let their slowness fool you. They are mighty in battle and will suddenly leap upon their victims. Familiars stay in the pits, dried-up riverbeds, and where the ocean once existed. They are swift in their movements and always looking for a quick kill. There are other forms of evil there. Cambions are disgusting little creatures with oversized reproductive organs. They are born when demons mate with humans in their dreams and have only one thing on their minds. Druds are the pack animals for the Legions. Neither will bother you."

Cris rubs his face. "Is there any way to destroy these creatures?"

"Yes, it's what Gabriel calls a head or heart shot. They evaporate in a red mist. Banished into the darkness but can soon return. We will not be without help during our journey. I have many friends stationed along the way."

"That's all fine," Cal smiles at Michael. "But why are we going?"

"To destroy a slave market where young girls are sold to evil men for breeding a new race of powerful, monstrous demons. I know this is a lot to absorb. No one will fault you if you choose not to go. So, get a peaceful night of sleep, and we'll talk in the morning."

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The Cast of Characters.

Gabriel Hope
At six feet, six inches tall, 295 pounds, Gabe is a 20 year veteran of the Army Rangers, and he's been walking for the Lord for 23 years.

Michael
The Arch Angel of Heaven, Prince of God, Commander of the Lord's Armies. His massive size varies on the situation. Michael has been friends with Gabe for many years after recruiting him for battles in the Spirit Realm.

Cal Cummings
At six feet, two inches tall, 200 pounds, Cal graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Master's degree in Theology. She also starred in Volleyball and is an Olympic Champion Archer. Five years ago, she was working in the mission fields of Africa when bandits killed her Mother and Father in a brutal attack. Cal barely escaped.

Cris Turner
At six feet tall, 200 pounds, Cris has a Master's degree in Criminal Science and Theology from North Carolina University. He is also an excellent shot with his Colt 45 model #1911. Cris started walking for the Lord three years ago when his wife and son were killed in a plane crash. Cris missed the flight.

The journey begins in the next chapter.

Many thanks for stopping by to read!
Have a great day, and God bless.
mike

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Michael lays out the mission.

A chapter in the book The Walkers

Getting to know one another.

by papa55mike

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