Rachel had just witnessed a murder. She was in no physical danger herself, but her mind kept repeating the execution style actions so heartlessly carried out. “How can people do that?” she almost yelled into the phone without realizing.
Unfortunately, Frank was still tied up at the precinct, but the call was immediately put forth and Officers were on the way. “You got at least two squad cars that will be there in less than two minutes, Rachel. They’re on the way. Are you sure you’re in no danger?”
“Yes, I’m too far away. They couldn’t see me, but I watched the execution like black shadows performing on a high stage. It was awful, Frank. I can’t get it out of my head. How do you deal with such things on a daily basis?”
Rachel didn’t even realize the light drizzle had returned and she was shivering from head to toe. It was a chilly nasty night in every way, and now her mind would be scarred forever with what she had seen. She considered going to the scene where the man’s body had fallen. It couldn’t be far away. She actually heard the body slam the concrete; or did her mind play tricks?
“I would like to say you get use to it,” Frank answered, “but you really don’t. I do it for people like you, Rachel. Most of us are what I call ‘human’, we have a conscience and a set of morals. We just want to live and let live. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. But there are other people who are nothing but animals. They live like animals and die the same way. These people take the theory of Evolution to the extreme. Somebody has to be that hedge of protection from the animals in our world. I’m part of that hedge.”
Now she understood. No matter how much she thought she understood before, she did not. Now she felt the difference in her very soul. Thank God for people like Frank, she thought. “Do I need to go there and be a witness?”
“No. Don’t even go there. I’ll add your name to the list and someone will probably meet with you. Just to be sure if you have anything important to add, but from the sound of it, you don’t. Unless there is some hard evidence turned up at the scene, most likely these guys have disappeared into the night. They might be living right next to you, Rachel. You can never be too careful. Make sure Clara understands this too.”
“I will,” she said, and began walking towards her apartment at a rather rapid pace, her heart still racing, and suddenly realizing how cold she was.
“I’m leaving now and heading to the scene. I’ll see what I can find out. How soon can I see you? You’re gonna need to talk to someone. I know Clara is there, but what about tomorrow?”
Rachel thought for a moment as she hurried down the cold wet sidewalk. “I guess a morning coffee would be good, if you want to join me?”
“Just name the time. I’ll be there.”
Rachel finally reached her apartment and immediately grabbed Clara in a big hug. Clara looked at her mom wondering what was going on?
“I saw a man cold blooded executed tonight!” she began. “He was on his knees begging for his life and these animals shot him in the head like he was nothing! As if life means nothing! I actually heard his body hit the ground! I can’t get this out of my head! I keep seeing it and hearing it. I don’t know how I’m gonna sleep tonight?”
The look of horror on Clara’s face didn’t last long as she immediately went into rescue mode for her mother. This was a new twist, but they would always be there for each other. “I know what we’re gong to do. First we’re going to make sure all our doors and windows are locked tight. Then I’m going to fix us some hot chocolate and you’re going to talk as much as you need. Then you’re going to take a sleeping pill tonight, and tomorrow will be all better. I assume you called that boy friend of yours. At least I hope you did.”
“Yes, I did.”
Frank arrived at the scene of the usual police tape marking off the area and squad car lights flashing. “I wonder what this guy’s story was? Well, whatever it was, it’s over now.”
We all have a “The End” to our story, whether our book has many pages or few, we do not know. But the only thing that really matters is what we have filled those pages with. Will those who have read our story, been affected by our story, will it be worth reading, does it lead somewhere worth leading?
Many many miles away in the Amazon Rain Forest, Yinney had predators of his own to deal with. His was a peaceful world high in the trees, while slowly eating leaves. He started every day with his sacred morning song as he sang to his Creator and prayed for a supernatural protection. God had a hedge of protection also, and even though the will of God sometimes meant very hard things, at least what God chose had an important purpose, like Jesus on the cross. He would thank his God and never take for granted the precious blood of his Lord and Saviour.
Rising morning sun, I greet you. Singing morning birds, I thank you. Gentle cooling breeze, I welcome you. Great and mighty tree, I hang from you.
Predators may lurk jungle below, but our ways are higher in the trees. Our ways are touched with cooling breeze. Our ways invisible in the leaves. Our ways are blessed in peaceful flow. Our ways are blessed with S-O-U-L.
Path Without End 