Inspirational Stories of Faith

Book 3- Supernatural Gift

By H.B. Barstrum

Copyright Text © H.B. Barstrum 2013

All Rights Reserved

Dedications & Special Thanks

This story is dedicated to my father, my dear friend Jamar R. aka “Pookie” and my wonderful partner Edward S. You guys never cease to amaze me. Your spunk and tenacity to overcome all the drama and obstacles you have faced encourages me more than you’ll ever know.

A special thanks to you, the reader for taking the time to read this story. I hope this tale inspires you to believe that you can stay strong no matter what life throws at you.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Slip

Chapter 2: End of the Rope

Chapter 3: Cityscapes & Mystery Men

Chapter 4: The Hand of God

Chapter 5: Bathroom Ghosts

Chapter 6: Divine Revelation

Secret Revelation from Beyond: Sneak Preview

Chapter 1: The Slip

“12:45 already,” Daniel mumbled to himself in dread, staring at the clock in the break room.

As the time approached for him to go back to his cubicle and clock back in, his stomach started to churn in knots. Just the thought of talking to customers and answering their absurd questions on the phone made him want to rip his hair out in disgust. The only thing worse to Daniel than the customers on the phone were the supervisors he had to deal with throughout the day. To him, they seemed like nameless, faceless jerks that were too good to deal with the little peons directly. They would rather send in their ego driven assistants to scold them like small children over the smallest things.

Most of his co-workers he really could have cared less about one way or the other. A few were decent enough. Nevertheless like him, they were just slaves in business suits, skirts and dresses. Robotic sheep that did the same old stuff all day without skipping a beat. Daniel didn’t see the point in trying to be friends with any of them. He just wanted in and out of that place with the least amount of hassle and interaction as possible.

12:55PM- time to head back to his desk. He stood up and began the walk back to his cubicle, throwing the cup of coffee he had been drinking into the stainless steel trash bin.

As he traveled back to his desk, Daniel stared out into the vast sea of rows and rows of cubicles. Whitish gray jail cells with black borders with three-in-one copy, scanner, and fax machines at the end of each row. The pale ivory walls around him only served to pronounce the uneventful environment around him. His nostrils filled up with the smell of correction fluid, paper, printer ink and some obnoxious cologne someone was wearing he couldn’t identify.

When Daniel arrived back at his work station, he saw that it had been cleaned out. It was as if no one had occupied that spot in ages. He glanced down to see a pink slip in sitting on top of a small brown box.  Daniel picked up the correspondence and began to read it.

“NOTICE OF TERMINATION

Daniel Brock,

We are sorry to inform you that your employment here at D&B Insurance has been terminated.  Your services are no longer needed. We wish you the best of luck as you pursue new employment opportunities. Your final paycheck will be promptly mailed to you tomorrow morning to the address we have on file.

Signed,

Theo Chaddick

Director of Human Services”

Daniel’s jaw dropped as he read the termination notice. He stood up from his chair and glanced around. His co-workers seemed oblivious to everything outside of what was going on in their own little cubbies. They were typing away at their computers and talking on the phone.

Daniel sat back down and removed the lid of the box to see that his personal belongings were neatly packed up. There were few pictures, a radio, his paperweight and a couple of plants that were given to him. After taking inventory of his belongings, he closed the box again.

Maura, the mail girl came walking by Daniel’s desk. Her black leather handbag hung off her left shoulder. She held a Styrofoam cup in her other hand.

“Hey Dan,” Maura greeted looking around his cubicle. “What’s going on?”

Daniel rolled his eyes in disgust as he tucked a strand of almond hair behind his ear.

“I got laid off.”

“Whoa,” Maura murmured, frowning at Daniel.  “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. Me too. The jerks didn’t even have the guts to tell me face to face. I get back from lunch and my cubicle was totally cleaned out. All that was here was this box and a pink slip.”

Maura placed her cup at the edge of his desk to give Daniel a hug, patting him on the back. She fixed her blouse, revealing a tiny white gold and sapphire cross dangling around her neck.

Picking up her cup from the desk, Maura’s lips formed a warm smile. “Cheer up Dan,” she said. “Things will turn around for you. The Lord never lets things happen without a reason. He’s always on our side if we want him to be.”

“Well I am not so sure about that Maura,” Daniel replied, letting out a sarcastic sigh. “I think his mailbox maybe too full to get any of my messages. I just can’t believe all this crap is happening to me you know. First my girl moves out on me, leaving me stuck with a bunch of bills. I’m up to my eyeballs in school loans that are past due. Now I lose my job. I’m just not sure if it can get much worse.”

“Don’t lose hope Dan. Things will get better. Trust me, they will,” Maura assured Daniel. “You have my cell number if you ever want to call me.”

“Sure.”

“Well, I better get back to my desk. Take care of yourself okay. Remember what I said,” Maura informed Daniel. She began walking away, disappearing into the sea of work stations.

Daniel gathered up the pink slip along with the box and his work bag. He thought it would be best to make a quiet exit. Daniel was in no mood for small talk and questions.

Chapter 2: End of the Rope

As he turned the key in the deadbolt, Daniel entered his apartment. He sat his stuff underneath the end table next to his brown sofa. Plopping down, he let the old lumpy cushions suck him in for a few moments. Daniel kicked off his inky black business shoes before undoing his red and blue striped tie. He tossed it on the floor and laid down.

Daniel stared into the ceiling before surveying the rest of his living room, disgusted. He muttered in a frustrated tone, “I busted my butt in school. Did all the right things in life and this is all I have to show for it. What a joke.”

Daniel looked at his small black television sitting on the old off white dresser, taking notice of the poor paint job he had done as it had begun to peel off. Next, he looked at his white wicker coffee table and chair before directing his eyes towards the window.

Daniel could see the mass of tall buildings ascending into the Chicago skyline. He could even smell the faint odor of eggrolls and fried rice emanating from Jimmy Wong’s Chinese restaurant next door to his apartment building. Daniel allowed himself to get lost with everything around him.

Knock, knock. Then silence.

Startled, it took Daniel a few moments to collect himself before he ambled to the door and opened it. He saw no one there, but he did see a notice folded just under the door.

That gnawing feeling in the pit of Daniel’s stomach was taking over again. His mind was racing.  Daniel hesitated for a few moments, peering at the notice before picking it up. He had a feeling about what it was. But he just didn’t want to confront it yet.

Closing the door, he sat back down on the sofa and unfolded the letter to read it. Daniel’s heart began to sink as his worst fears were confirmed. He was late on his rent for the month and he had just received a three day notice to pay or quit.

Daniel crumpled up the piece of paper and threw it across the room in frustration. His head sank down in between his hands. Daniel felt waves of nausea as his head pounded. The walls were closing in on him.

Shaking, Daniel looked up and implored in desperation, “God, why? Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? I can’t do this anymore! I don’t know what to do!”

Hopelessness began to rush through his entire being. He felt like the weight of the world was crushing him like massive boulders. His limbs felt heavy and cumbersome. Daniel was completely exhausted.

After a few minutes, Daniel pulled himself together and walked to the kitchen. He went to the cabinet above his sink and reached for an emerald green tumbler glass. Daniel turned on the stainless steel knob to fill his glass up. He drank the cold water, letting it slip down his throat to quench his thirst. When he was done, Daniel came back to the sofa to lie down.

The longer Daniel laid there on the sofa, the sleepier he became. His eyes started to feel heavy. Daniel’s limbs began to relax.  The sofa completely enveloped him as he allowed his body to drift away. Soon, he was fast asleep.

As he slept, Daniel began to dream.

On bended knee, Daniel was surrounded by a circle of massive trees with drooping blue-green leaves and narrow almond brown trunks. Lush, vibrant vegetation grew wild and free, highlighting various kinds of strange and colorful flowers he could not identify. There was an almost blinding white mist in front of him that shinned like a beacon. A gentle breeze blew around him.

Daniel noticed a crystal blue pond below him. Hypnotized, he saw his reflection gazing back at him.

Daniel cupped the water with his hands to take a drink.

Coming back up, he saw that the reflection had changed. There was a hand on his shoulder that looked something in between a faint mist and a hologram. He could not see a corresponding body with the ghost hand. Daniel felt a light squeeze, on his shoulder before the hand slowly dissipated away.

“Wow, what a dream,” Daniel whispered as he woke up, stretching his body.

After a few minutes, he turned on the television with the remote that was sitting on the wicker table. He clicked through the channels in hopes of finding something interesting to watch.

“Well this is typical,” Daniel scoffed. “A thousand freaking channels and nothing to watch as usual.” He crossed his arms, mildly annoyed. “Ah screw it, I’m going out. I need a drink. ”

Daniel stood up, leaning back. He let out a yarn before strolling to his bedroom to change his clothes.

In his bedroom, Daniel walked past his bed to get to his closet. He selected a pair of loose fitting blue jeans and a grey long sleeved shirt to wear. Daniel grabbed a coal black men’s jacket, socks and a pair of midnight black Converse tennis shoes. He changed his clothes and went to the bathroom to freshen up afterwards.

Daniel came back into the living room and gathered his keys, wallet, and cell phone. He left the light on as he locked up his apartment and left to go out into the night.

Chapter 3: Cityscapes & Mystery Men

Daniel felt the cool autumn breeze on his face as he strolled down the Chicago downtown district. He walked past the brightly light multi-colored signs of the bars, eateries and motels.

Daniel took note of all the various kinds of personalities roaming the walkways. From the young ladies painted in makeup in tiny skirts and dresses to their male counterparts to the older middle aged crowd, everyone was lively and in good spirits. Even for a Thursday night, the street was teeming with excitement and noise.

He drank it all in, enjoying the fact that he could be a fly on the wall.  Daniel was transparent and innocuous to it all.

Walking underneath the massive white and crimson Chicago Theater sign, Daniel past the Joffery Ballet building. His journey continued as he passed the patio area of an Italian restaurant. Rich, thick scents of cigar smoke, steak and pasta sauce rose in the air, filling his nostrils. It was so strong, he could almost taste it.

Daniel continued past more buildings, venturing further and further away from the noise and crowds. Soon, he was approaching the entrance to an alleyway. As he got closer, he could see a black man sitting on a step under a bright yellow street light. A small group of teens dressed in punk rock clothing passed him, saying something.

When the teens walked towards Daniel, he asked, “Hey guys, is there a bar where that guy is sitting at?”

“Yeah,” a blond haired girl answered, taking a drag off her cigarette. “The place is called the Dew Drop Inn.”

“Oh, ok. Cool, thanks,” Daniel replied.

“Have fun,” the girl said as she and her friends continued past him back onto the main street.

Daniel proceeded to walk towards the guy sitting on the step. The man had on baggy blue jeans with a plain white v-neck t-shirt and a blue and white Chicago White Sox baseball cap. He had dread locks that fell to the middle of his chest. The man was finishing up a Black and Mild cigar when he looked up and greeted Daniel with a smile.

“Hey, what’s up?” the man asked.

“Too much,” Daniel replied.

The man chuckled, agreeing with him. “Yeah, I hear you. I know how that goes. But it gets better man.”

“So, is there any action going on in there tonight?” Daniel asked.

“Nah,” the man responded. “It’s just me and another dude in there. He doesn’t even look like he’s in the talking mood.”

“Oh well, I probably need the quiet anyway. I got enough problems in my life. I just want to forget about it all right now.”

“Well, you have come to the right place man.”

The man dusted off his blue jeans and began to stand up.

“Are you going back in for another drink?” Daniel inquired, tucking his hands in his jacket pockets.

The man shrugged his shoulders. “Nah. Probably not. No more money for my tab.”

“That sucks,” Daniel commented. “How much you owe?”

“Thirty.”

Daniel pondered for a few moments. He raked his fingers through his hair to slick it back.

“Hey um, I’m not trying to get fresh with you or anything, but if you’ll have a couple with me, I got your tab.”

The man responded with a surprised look. He said to Daniel, “Thanks man. Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Daniel assured nodding his head.

“Well it’s hard to say no to that,” the man admitted, extending his hand out to shake Daniel’s. “Okay, you’re on.”

“My name’s Dan,” Daniel said, shaking the man’s hand.

“I’m Jay. Nice to meet you Dan.”

“Ready to do this bro?”

Jay turned his body, facing the door. He extended his arm out, remarking, “After you Dan.”

Daniel smiled as the two of them walked into the bar.

Chapter 4: The Hand of God

Entering inside, Daniel observed the interior of the bar. Chairs, tables and a few booths were lined up against the burgundy walls. Various atmospheric and nature paintings, sketches and photographs were everywhere throughout the bar. Hanging from the ceiling was an assortment of white string lights and hanging emerald green bowl shaped lamps.

Even though the place was tucked away in a back alley, it smelled of fresh earth, flowers and ocean water. Something Daniel found pleasant, but out of place and unexpected.

Sitting off to the far left corner, across from the main bar where the petite, long dark-haired female bartender was positioned, the man Jay mentioned outside was sitting at a table by himself. He wore a hooded jacket. His hand was clutched around a clear drink. The mysterious man’s head faced down towards the table as if he were studying it. Daniel attempted to get a better look at his face, but his attempt was not successful.

Jay and Daniel approached the bar, sitting down on a couple of bar stools.

“So,” Jay began, “what brought you out tonight?”

“Just stressed out,” Daniel complained. “My life’s pretty crappy at the moment.”

“Oh.”

“I got laid off today.”

“Wow.”

“Oh, it gets better. I got a 3 day notice to pay my rent or face an eviction. And I’m up to my neck in school loans.”

Jay sighed and shook his head.

“That’s a lot to be going through man,” Jay sympathized.

The bartender came to where Daniel and Jay were sitting with a wet washcloth, wiping down the bar.

“Ah, welcome back again already,” the bartender commented, smiling at Jay. “You brought a new friend I see. What can I get you two?”

“You have any make me forget my life cocktails?” Daniel joked, propping his head on the palm of his hand.

“Hmm,” she pondered for a moment, placing the wet washcloth on her shoulder. “I think I have something even better for you.” The light of the lamps gave her skin an almost translucent glow.

“Good,” Daniel commented. “It sounds stiff and strong.”

“Well I have some good news for you,” the bartender assured Daniel. “It’s very strong. But not harsh.”

Daniel laughed nervously, commenting, “Oh no. Is it a girly drink?” He straightened his posture.

The bartender and Jay glanced at each other and smiled as Jay placed his hand on Daniel’s shoulder.

“Dan my man,” Jay hinted, “what you need is the house specialty.”

“Oh yeah?” Daniel questioned. “What’s the house specialty? A long island iced tea or some fancy scotch?”

“Nah. The hand of God,” Jay answered.

The bartender took a step back, twisting her raven hair into a makeshift bun. She looked at Jay, leaning her body towards the two men.

“Are you sure he can handle it?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Jay asserted, nodding his head.

Daniel looked at the two of them puzzled.

“Is that a real drink or are you two just having fun with me?” Daniel wondered. The expression on his face started to become one of worry.

“Oh don’t worry,” the bartender bubbled. “It is a real drink. I promise.”

The bartender walked away to make Daniel’s cocktail.

He blurted out to her, “I have Jay’s tab covered. Make him one too please.” Jay smiled as he thanked Daniel.

“You’ve got it,” the bartender acknowledged, grabbing two pint sized glasses from underneath the counter.

She came back a short time later with two glasses in her hands. They were filled to the brim with a sparkling bright lime green liquid. Daniel was taken aback over the vibrant color of the beverage. He couldn’t tell if the drink was sparkling because of the lighting, or if there were some kind of gold or silver shavings mixed into the concoction.

After placing the drinks on the table, the bartender walked away again, disappearing into a back room. Jay took his glass and sipped slowly before sitting it down on the counter.

“So what’s up?” Jay asked. “You aren’t too scared to try it are you?”

“No way. I was just making sure it was safe,” Daniel replied. “Actually, I can’t stop looking at it. I have never seen anything like it before. It’s kind of trippy.”

“Well if you think it looks cool, you ought to try it,” Jay advised.

Daniel said, “Here goes nothing.” He took a massive gulp of the drink before sitting the glass down. His taste buds went into overdrive with the explosion of different tropical flavors he could taste in his mouth.

As the beverage traveled through his body, Daniel’s mind started to run wild with fast, vivid flashes of images and scenes. He was running in a field full of dandelions and sunflowers. They were growing in endless acres of knee high grass. As he ran, as he felt the wind whip his hair around.

Next Daniel was on top of a snow capped mountain peak, looking up at the sky. The sun was enormous as it shone down on him. Beams of sunshine surrounded him like a protective bubble, as warm sensations permeated all through his body from his head to his toes.

He nearly forgot where he was when he heard Jay’s voice. Daniel glanced at him. Jay appeared to have the same translucent glow to his skin like the bartender. He did a double take, shaking his head.

“Hey, um, are you sure she didn’t slip something in this drink? I think I am hallucinating,” Daniel said in a low voice.

“No,” Jay calmly replied. “Isn’t it amazing?”

“Yeah.”

“Well that is good. You know you can feel like that all the time if you want to.”

Daniel thought about what Jay said to him briefly. He asked, “And how’s that? Get high and drunk forever.”

Jay laughed again and shook his head. By that time, the bartender came out of the back room with a few bottles in her hands. She sat them down and carried on with her duties behind the  counter.

“Don’t you know that is the beauty of God,” Jay revealed. “He gave us free will. We can choose to be happy and live in his light. Or we can turn away and be lost. He gives you the choice of how you want things to be in your life either way.”

“Well,” Daniel began, “I guess I can see what you are trying to say. However, I don’t know how it will help me out of my current circumstance. Besides, I think it would take a miracle at this point.”

Jay peered squarely into Daniel’s eyes. He felt as if he was studying his soul. Goosebumps shot up his arm as the hair on the back of his neck rose up.  Daniel took another swig of his drink to distract his eyes from Jay’s stare.

Again, Daniel started to see flashes of vivid imagery in his mind.  He could hear an invisible voice saying something to him. However, Daniel couldn’t decipher the words. It wasn’t English. But he couldn’t deduce what possible language the voice was speaking to him in. Convinced he was imagining the whole thing, Daniel decided not to say anything in response to the unseen voice.

“God is talking to us all the time. He’s been trying to talk to you since you were a little boy Dan. He’s talking to you right now if you allow yourself to listen,” Jay explained.

Shocked, Daniel paused. Was Jay reading his mind? Was God the voice he was hearing? He wasn’t sure. Daniel straightened up his posture and took at deep breath.

“Okay, how did you know someone was talking to me? Or was it you playing a trick with me?” Daniel implored. The tone of his voice concerned and filled with worry.

Jay smiled. “Faith is simple,” he said. “Take the wind for example. When you feel it brushing past you, you know it’s there right?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s the same thing with faith. It’s there, but you cannot see it like a piece of cloth or lock it up in a box to keep. Ask for him and he will not forsake you. Don’t be afraid to walk in his grace and favor. No one can figure it all out by themselves.”

Daniel took a minute to absorb Jay’s words. They were simple, yet powerful. He thought about their ramifications. Daniel knew what Jay said penetrated him to his core. He couldn’t believe the effect they had on him. Daniel’s head dipped down, beside himself, feeling totally exposed.

Jay leaned into him whispering, “It is never too late. Any time can be your chance to start again Dan.” He placed his hand once again on his shoulder and firmly gripped it.

Daniel nodded his head as he finished his drink in silence.

Chapter 5: Bathroom Ghosts

Daniel’s bladder was beginning to feel full. He looked around to spot the men’s restroom in the back corner of the bar. Daniel stood up from his stool, saying to Jay, “Excuse me. I will be right back.”

Daniel walked to the restroom. As he opened the door, the hooded man was coming out. They brushed past each other.

“Sorry man,” Daniel apologized, moving to the side to let him pass. The hooded man barely lifted his head as he continued away from the restroom entrance.

Alone again, he went to the urinal and relieved himself.

“Strangeness…” Daniel whispered, zipping up his pants.

When he got to the sink, he pulled out his wallet and checked his bill fold.  No money was there.

Daniel scrambled to go through his wallet again, making sure he hadn’t placed his money in another compartment.  He found nothing.

His heart started to pound as he realized he had no cash on him to pay.

“My ATM card,” Daniel mumbled, pulling the card out of his wallet. He let out a quick sigh in relief. “Oh wait, “he thought aloud. “I only have nine dollars left in my account. Oh my God, this cannot be actually happening to me,” Daniel murmured, glancing at the mirror above the sink. Panic was beginning to bubble inside of him.

Daniel’s mind raced as he tried to retrace his steps. He tucked a few hairs that had fallen behind his ear before he stopped suddenly. His thoughts immediately went to the hooded man he bumped into on the way into the bathroom. Was he the victim of a crafty pickpocket?

Daniel stepped back from the sink, placing his hands on his hips, considering the possibility.

Wait a minute. How could he just take my money and not the wallet? That doesn’t make sense. Daniel pondered.

He started to feel hot. The palms of Daniel’s hands were sweating. He knew he had to decide what to do next.

Daniel turned around to see a large metallic door across the entrance door. It was on the opposite side of the restroom. Above the door was a green lit exit sign. Time stopped as he contemplated making a run out of the door.

Daniel turned back around, facing the sink and placed his hands under the automated soap dispenser. He turned on the water to wash up. After washing his hands, he closed his eyes as got ready to splash his face.

As the liquid ran through his hands, he placed them on his face. Daniel noticed something strange about the water. It was slick. He began to smell olive oil, cinnamon and myrrh. His eyes shot wide open to see what had become of the tap water.

To his horror, his face was glistening with a shiny, greasy substance. Daniel looked down at the sink to see oil coming out of the faucet in place of water.

He turned off the faucet, promptly looking back in the mirror. Daniel was aghast at what was staring back at him. On his shoulder, the ghost like hand gripped his shoulder blade. Daniel stood there frozen, unable to remove his eyes from the mirror. He feared what would happen if he moved.

He watched, holding his breath as the hand started to dissolve into thin air. Just as the hand completely disappeared, Daniel let out a huge breath of air. He exhaled so deeply, he felt faint.  Daniel turned again to look at the exit door before peering into the mirror.

“I don’t know how this is going to work out, but please get me out of this,” Daniel prayed, looking up at the ceiling. Daniel nervously walked out of the bathroom back to the bar.

The bartender was talking to Jay when Daniel rejoined them. The mystery man he had bumped into had already left. Tucking his trembling hands in his pockets, he sat back down on the bar stool.

“I thought you got lost in there,” Jay remarked, smiling at Daniel. “Are you all right?”

“Um, yeah I’m fine. I just had a problem,” Daniel replied, looking at the bartender.

“Hope you figured it out,” the bartender chimed in, walking away.

“Actually, that is what I have to talk to you about,” Daniel confessed, clearing his throat. He looked down at the counter. “I don’t have the cash to pay for me and Jay’s drinks.  I swear I had money on me, but I couldn’t find any in my wallet. Can I do something to pay it off? I feel so embarrassed about this. ”

When he didn’t hear any response from the bartender or Jay, he lifted his head. The two of them did not appear to react to what he had said. Daniel was surprised.

The bartender smiled saying, “Don’t worry. It has been paid for. You owe nothing.”

“What?” Daniel questioned in disbelief. “Are you serious?” He glanced at Jay who nodded his head in confirmation.

“Yes,” the bartender reassured.

“Oh my goodness, thank you,” Daniel expressed, dumbstruck at his luck.

“This is for you,” the bartender said.  She ducked down; pulling out a small leather black bag with strings loosely tied together and handed it to Daniel.  “Make sure you open it alone.”

Daniel placed the bag in his pocket before putting on his jacket.

“Sorry to cut out so soon, but I got to go. It has been a crazy day. I am going to cash in my chips while I am still lucky,” Daniel apologized.

“It was nice meeting you,” the bartender replied. “Godspeed.”

“I’ll walk out with you Dan,” Jay offered as he stood up, giving the bartender a nod. She waved goodbye to the two of them as they walked out of the bar.

Outside in the cool air again, Daniel and Jay shook hands.  Afterwards, Jay began to turn and walk away into the night.

Daniel called out to him, “Hey Jay!”

Jay stopped, turning around.

Daniel walked up to him saying, “I just want to thank you for talking to me. I really needed to hear what you had to say.  You’re good people Jay. We should hang out. What’s your number so I can ring you up sometime?”

Jay grinned as he stated, “You did call me Dan. You called me with your spirit. I had to wait a while, but you finally came around.” He turned around and headed back towards the opposite end of the alley. As Jay continued down the alleyway, he began to evaporate like a passing mist until there was nothing left. Daniel stared, motionless in shock.

Bewildered, he asked himself “Who in the world did I just talk to?” After a few moments, Daniel’s mouth dropped in amazement. “No way,” he whispered.

Daniel rushed out of the alley to begin the trek back home.

Chapter 6: Divine Revelation

Daniel‘s hands clutched his keys and the mysterious bag in his pockets. The streets had quieted down from the earlier hustle and bustle.  There were still people gallivanting throughout the bars and restaurants, partaking in the nightlife activities. He passed by them without incident. Daniel’s only focus was on getting back to his apartment and seeing what was inside the mystery bag.

Once inside his apartment, he closed and locked the door, walking to his sofa.  Daniel took off his jacket and laid it beside him before sitting down.  He took a couple of minutes to settle back into his surroundings.  Taking a deep breath, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the leather bag.

Holding it in his hand, a quick flash of anticipation and excitement went through Daniel.  His heart skipped a beat. He felt like a small child preparing to open a birthday gift. Daniel untied the strings on the bag and stuck a couple of fingers inside to feel around.  His curiosity piqued as he felt around, brushing against the mostly smooth, but hard surfaces.

Daniel dumped out the contents of the bag and gasped aloud, nearly falling off the sofa. He was looking at a variety of rare gemstones.  Gemstones like diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and pearls. They each had incredible clarity and shine that seemed to come out even more the longer they sat in the light of the room.  He was so taken aback from what he was looking at he could barely breathe.

Daniel’s hands trembled as he picked up an emerald and gripped it in his right hand. As he held it, there was a strong pulsing sensation that emanated from the stone through his hand that shot up through his entire arm. The vibration was so powerful it was almost too much for his hand to handle.

His mind replayed the day’s events, contemplating whether or not they were all somehow connected. The thought of it all left him speechless as he continued to look at the stones. In his heart and mind, had he known it was nothing short of a miracle.

Daniel looked up with the ceiling and exuberantly cried out, “Thank you God! Thank you!”

An epiphany came over him as he realized just what he had been given. For the first time in his life, he had begun to understand the true meaning of grace. He felt like a new man.

Sitting there in the quiet solitude in his living room, Daniel knew his life had been forever transformed. There was no turning back.

Secret Revelation from Beyond: Sneak Preview

“Young Josiah, I think your time is coming soon,” Mr. Longfellow said to Josiah as he looked at the cold dead body of the bluish tinged man lying on the mortuary trolley. The lines and wrinkles on his face and body were frozen in time as his hands crossed one another. They laid across his stomach.

“Thank you uncle,” Josiah replied. The two of them pushed the trolley towards one of the refrigerators. Opening the door, Mr. Longfellow joined Josiah on the other side, lifting the dead man’s body inside the icebox.

After making sure he was placed inside properly, the two of them closed the door and walked over to the stainless steel sink and washed their hands. Josiah walked to the entrance of the chilly room, waiting for his uncle.  He was anxious to leave the cold lifeless atmosphere and bleak white walls of this space. Josiah put his hands in his pockets to keep them warm. Feeling his pack of Lucky Strikes put him at ease.

Mr. Longfellow met him at the door, turning the handle. He and Josiah began to walk down the hallway of the mortuary towards the front of the building in the viewing room.

“I am happy to have you here helping me,” Mr. Longfellow expressed to Josiah. “I really am. I have needed the help of someone I can trust. Now I know you have a lot to learn. But you are eager and willing to tackle whatever I give you. I truly appreciate it.”

Josiah and Mr. Longfellow were now in the viewing room standing underneath its pale, creaking floor. Mr. Longfellow placed his hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. Josiah looked at his uncle and nodded his head in quiet acknowledgment for a moment and smiled.

“I know you’ve been watching me for a while, waiting for your chance to start taking on more,” Mr. Longfellow confessed. “I have been thinking of a way that you can help your old uncle.” Mr. Longfellow paused as he began to turn around towards the corridor, hearing the sound of a vehicle outside. “I think someone is coming,” he said. “Wait here.”  He left Josiah alone while he walked out to the front entrance of the mortuary.

Josiah sat down on one of the old oak chairs lined up in the middle of the room. He leaned back in the chair, looking straight ahead.

There was a small cherry wood table on each side of the plain brown casket positioned in the middle. Behind the casket, a large podium stood, just below the massive crucifix hanging on the wall. On top of the podium, an opened black bible with gold writing sat with a red ribbon hanging from its pages.

The dimly lit lamps and candles positioned around the perimeter of the room, casted an eerie and somber ambiance.  Josiah took a deep breath as he stretched his arms across the chairs, letting the scents of burnt wax slowly creep into his nostrils and mouth.

After a few minutes, Josiah overheard his name. He perked up, sitting up in his chair.

“Josiah, come here,” Mr. Longfellow called out.

Standing up, Josiah made his way into the main hall. Mr. Longfellow was standing there with a young blond man. He didn’t look much older than his early twenties like Josiah. He was holding a medium sized wooden box with a small rust colored lock.

“Take this box to the examination room,” Mr. Longfellow ordered.

The blond man broke in, adding, “Um, you’ll need this.” He passed the box to Mr. Longfellow, pulling out a thin brass key from his pocket, and handing it to Josiah who put the key into his pocket. Taking the box from Mr. Longfellow, he headed for the examination room.

As Josiah got closer, he could smell the old familiar stench of formaldehyde overpowering him. The aroma of silent death surrounded him like a thick rain cloud.

Opening the door to the examination room, Josiah placed the box on top of the inspection table closest to the door.  He glanced around the pasty walls before spotting a chair in the far corner of the room. Josiah sat down, facing the box.

While he sat, Josiah’s mind began to wonder. His head was flooded with speculation as to what could have been inside the box. He figured it had to contain some sort of remains. However, the mystery brewing in his head was what state these remains were in? What would his uncle have to do with them? He had never seen anyone brought in such a fashion.

Josiah almost could not help himself. His whole being was transfixed on the object in front of him as he rubbed his hand against the sides of his pant leg. He had forgotten where he was when he heard a voice call to him. Snapping out of his trance like state, Josiah’s heart skipped a beat.

“Josiah,” Mr. Longfellow said.

“Huh?” Josiah mumbled, straightening his posture in the chair.

Mr. Longfellow walked to the box and placed his hands around its perimeter. Josiah followed him with his eyes, waiting for him to speak.

“Well, this is going to be a strange one indeed my boy,” Mr. Longfellow remarked.

“What do you mean uncle?” Josiah asked, leaning forward.

“That man who came in was George Bingley’s eldest boy Andrew,” Mr. Longfellow responded, clearing his throat.

“You mean old man Bingley who went missing a few months ago?” Josiah inquired.

“Yeah,” Mr. Longfellow began. “As it turns out, he and his negro helper were killed up by Red Stone Creek. The remains were found and delivered to Andrew.”

“Oh,” Josiah said, as his eyes widened in curiosity. “Has he seen the remains already?”

Mr. Longfellow directed his eyes at the box, adjusting his black wire-rimmed eyeglasses before he looked back at Josiah again. “Actually, he hasn’t seen them himself,” he answered. “I suppose he just didn’t have the heart to look at them.”

“What did he say he wanted you to do with them?”

“He would like his father to be sorted out so they can give him a proper burial on their family land.”

Josiah glanced down at the floor for a moment while he wiped his brow.

“What about the negro uncle?”

“I don’t know. I am sure there is family around that Andrew can contact. I have to say, it is a highly unusual request for me. I normally see the bodies before I do anything to them.” Mr. Longfellow paused and sighed. “I will have to sort this out when I get back later Josiah,” he said. “I am going to the general store. But I’ll be back soon. Keep watch out for anyone that comes by. Try to help them if you can.”

“Okay,” Josiah replied.

Mr. Longfellow opened the door. He tipped his black hat and started down the hallway towards the front doors of the mortuary, leaving Josiah alone again. The feeling of sudden isolation gave him little comfort as he sat in that quiet room.

Josiah placed his hand in his right pocket, clutching his pack of cigarettes and silver lighter. He decided to venture outside to have a smoke and catch a bit of fresh air.

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Other Titles by H.B. Barstrum

Inspirational Stories of Faith (Book 1) – Magic Miracle

Inspirational Stories of Faith (Book 2) - Remarkable Triumph & Survival

Inspirational Books of Life Lessons- (Book 1) – Secret Revelation from Beyond

Inspirational Stories of Faith Trilogy Box Set

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Slip

Chapter 2: End of the Rope

Chapter 3: Cityscapes & Mystery Men

Chapter 4: The Hand of God

Chapter 5: Bathroom Ghosts

Chapter 6: Divine Revelation

Bone Brother Sneak Preview