David Johnson watched the face of George Dean as he threw every punch and kick like a wild animal, as if his very hands were crying out for help. He looked into George’s eyes and saw all the pain that filled them. He could hear the hoarse pitch of his voice howling like a wounded dog. Even as he evaded punch after punch, David Johnson could feel the sorrow emitting from his arms.
David thought back to his own life, back to all the trouble making and all the fighting in school. He remembered the anger in his soul, how the burning never seemed to go away. David never knew why his own father had ran out on him. He never understood why he didn’t love him. He knew exactly what George Dean was going through.
Fighting always made it easier, made it feel like he was getting closer to the answers. But the real answer was never in his fists, or in his gifts or talents. It was in the voices of Carolyn Cross and Benjamin King and Turner Johnson. All of them had taught him the most important truth: The Lord God Almighty was the only father he needed.
George Dean wouldn’t stop fighting. David could see his body tiring, but Dean wouldn’t allow himself to let it go. Then David looked at the scar on Dean’s face. David caught the next fist George threw, then placed a hand on Dean’s scar. To David's surprise, the scar began to heal. However, George Dean slapped his hand away before it could heal completely.
“No!” Dean said as he kept coming at him. “What are you doing? Stop it!”
But David didn’t stop. He evaded every attack and repeatedly touched Dean’s face until his scar was completely gone. Despite this, George still kept coming at him in desperation and fatigue. Then David heard the voice.
Stop moving. The Lord spoke to David. It’s alright to let him in.
David stopped evading the attacks. It looked like George Dean was going to strike him in the face. David closed his eyes and readied himself to absorb the attack. But all he felt was George’s body falling on him, collapsing from exhaustion. David opened his eyes and found himself holding George in his arms.
“Why?” George asked with a whisper, wetting David‘s shoulder with his sweat and tears. “Why…can‘t I do it? I want to be…a winner…like you are. Why can‘t I be…a winner like you?”
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood,” David began, “but against powers and principalities. It’s time to rest, George. It’s time to submit to grace and to mercy. And you’re wrong about me. I‘m not a winner. I'm...I'm a part of a ministry. I'm just a servant. You can be one, too. But you have to make the choice.”
“I...don’t know how,” George said.
“I will show you,” David replied.
THE END.
Warrior Minister
David Johnson has been one of God’s most faithful servants, a balance of kindhearted empathy, fierce courage, humorous insight, and almost unparalleled fighting strength. But it hadn’t always been that way. From his troubled childhood to conquering the sins of his past, witness the origin story of the Miracleverse’s most celebrated warrior.
The 22-part series will be updated twice a month on the 6th and the 22nd at 3:05 PM starting August 2011.
Episode 21
George Dean’s suit was at the end of its rope, but he had just enough power for one final attack. With all his strength, he flew back at David Johnson and tackled him. And a huge explosion followed.
When smoke cleared, both of their bodies were falling out of the sky like dead weight. It was only a matter of time before they crashed to the ground. George Dean was next to David and was unconscious.
David grabbed Dean with a hand and tried to use his orange energy to float, just enough to cushion the fall. But nothing came out. David tried it again. Nothing. He was too tired. He tried and tried and tried and tried. And just when it seemed like in was too late, a small burst of energy poured through his hands and it softened the rough landing.
They tumbled onto the sidewalk. There was a circle of citizens surrounding them. They were too afraid too help them, but not enough to leave. There were cameramen zooming in on their bruised and battered faces, streaming the live video feeds back to their news stations.
David Johnson and George Dean were both beginning to pick themselves up. Dean got to his feet first. He smiled as he looked around and saw the people. There were cuts and bruises all over his tender body.
“Yes,” George said as he nursed his arm and limped toward David. “Now they’ll all get to see my victory.”
David Johnson began to panic as he was getting to his feet. There was nothing left in his arsenal. No more moves. No more energy. No nothing. His body throbbed with agony. He could barely stand. It was all over. George Dean was going to win.
And just when David was about to cry, he thought about the people he had saved from the giant sphere of energy. He looked around and saw the people of Union Cross. He saw the care and concern in their faces. And David Johnson smiled with satisfaction.
“Fight me!” George Dean yelled as he approached him. “Fight me so that I can beat you, David! Fight me so I can win! You hear what I said? Stop smiling! What‘s so funny, eh?”
“This battle...is already won.” David strained with the words.
Dean threw a fist into David’s stomach, then another across his face.
“The battle is not over until I win,” Dean said with heavy breathes. “Now fight! Fight me so I can win.”
David stood up straight and looked Dean in straight in the eyes.
“I’m done fighting you, George,” David said. “It’s over. I forgive you.”
“No!” Dean began swinging his fists at David. “I won’t stop! Have to win! Have to win! If you don’t fight, I’ll tear you apart!”
David dodged each punch and didn’t fight back.
“The Lord is my helper,” David said. “I will not fear what man will do to me.”
“Shut up,” David said as he futilely attack David. “I hate you! I hate you David Johnson!”
“Hate is for the wicked, George,” David said. “Hate is for the weak.”
“Shut up!” Dean screamed.
Then David observed his face. George Dean had begun to cry. The tears welled up like a thunderstorm.
“Please!” Dean pleaded as he continued attacking him. “Please fight me! Please! That’s the only way...it’s the only way I can make things right. My father hates me. I failed him because I couldn’t beat you. I’m useless, now! Useless! Unless I can beat you, David Johnson.”
When smoke cleared, both of their bodies were falling out of the sky like dead weight. It was only a matter of time before they crashed to the ground. George Dean was next to David and was unconscious.
David grabbed Dean with a hand and tried to use his orange energy to float, just enough to cushion the fall. But nothing came out. David tried it again. Nothing. He was too tired. He tried and tried and tried and tried. And just when it seemed like in was too late, a small burst of energy poured through his hands and it softened the rough landing.
They tumbled onto the sidewalk. There was a circle of citizens surrounding them. They were too afraid too help them, but not enough to leave. There were cameramen zooming in on their bruised and battered faces, streaming the live video feeds back to their news stations.
David Johnson and George Dean were both beginning to pick themselves up. Dean got to his feet first. He smiled as he looked around and saw the people. There were cuts and bruises all over his tender body.
“Yes,” George said as he nursed his arm and limped toward David. “Now they’ll all get to see my victory.”
David Johnson began to panic as he was getting to his feet. There was nothing left in his arsenal. No more moves. No more energy. No nothing. His body throbbed with agony. He could barely stand. It was all over. George Dean was going to win.
And just when David was about to cry, he thought about the people he had saved from the giant sphere of energy. He looked around and saw the people of Union Cross. He saw the care and concern in their faces. And David Johnson smiled with satisfaction.
“Fight me!” George Dean yelled as he approached him. “Fight me so that I can beat you, David! Fight me so I can win! You hear what I said? Stop smiling! What‘s so funny, eh?”
“This battle...is already won.” David strained with the words.
Dean threw a fist into David’s stomach, then another across his face.
“The battle is not over until I win,” Dean said with heavy breathes. “Now fight! Fight me so I can win.”
David stood up straight and looked Dean in straight in the eyes.
“I’m done fighting you, George,” David said. “It’s over. I forgive you.”
“No!” Dean began swinging his fists at David. “I won’t stop! Have to win! Have to win! If you don’t fight, I’ll tear you apart!”
David dodged each punch and didn’t fight back.
“The Lord is my helper,” David said. “I will not fear what man will do to me.”
“Shut up,” David said as he futilely attack David. “I hate you! I hate you David Johnson!”
“Hate is for the wicked, George,” David said. “Hate is for the weak.”
“Shut up!” Dean screamed.
Then David observed his face. George Dean had begun to cry. The tears welled up like a thunderstorm.
“Please!” Dean pleaded as he continued attacking him. “Please fight me! Please! That’s the only way...it’s the only way I can make things right. My father hates me. I failed him because I couldn’t beat you. I’m useless, now! Useless! Unless I can beat you, David Johnson.”
Episode 20
David Johnson and George Dean were both floating high above the city of Union Cross. David began to think back to the year of their exhibition match together, remembering how cruel George had been to him, how cruel he had been to his grandfather. If George Dean wanted to fight, David Johnson was more than happy to oblige.
Suddenly, David Johnson flew toward George, his body was bursting with orange power as he was rapidly closing the distance between them. When David got within range, he came at George with a flurry of burning punches. George evaded them all with ease, laughing at David all the while. Then he grabbed one of David’s arms and threw a knee into his gut.
“Pathetic!” Dean shouted.
George Dean slashed his elbow hard across David’s cheek. David tried to retaliate with a punch. But George caught his arm before he could land it. Then he threw David down and sent him tumbling onto the rooftop of a building. Right before David got up, he heard the roar of George Dean’s voice booming in the sky. David looked up and saw George glowing brightly. He didn’t know what was going on.
After a few moments, George Dean began to release a hail of dark red energy beams. He could see Dean’s hands pumping them out, his arms moving in rapid succession like a machine gun, raining down millions and millions of laser shots. David did his best to dodge it all, but it was impossible not to get hit. The beams tore through him and ripped up his clothes. David was trying to figure out what to do when suddenly the beams ceased from falling. There was a sense of relieve until David heard Dean’s voice, again roaring in the sky with the ferocity of a wild beast. David looked up again and saw Dean with a gigantic sphere of red energy forming over his head, like George Dean was bench pressing the moon.
Then Dean threw the sphere.
Moving out of the way was only half of David’s problem. The other half would come if he allowed the sphere hit the building and seriously injure people. The only way David could stop it is if he faced the sphere head on. He looked at the bright circle of energy and was afraid. He took a deep breath and he jumped at it.
George Dean was laughing manically as he watched the sphere descending to the spot where his last saw David Johnson. The sphere was too big for him to see whether or not it had actually made impact. But George Dean was laughing all the same. There was no way David Johnson was getting out of this.
But as Dean watched the sphere, it began vibrate. And if he hadn’t know any better, he could have sworn the sphere was moving back toward him. Suddenly, the sphere exploded in to a million pieces and faded away. When the blinding light from the explosion began to disappear, he saw David Johnson bursting toward him with his whole body burning orange. The moment he was within reach David curved his fist into Dean’s chin with an uppercut that sent him twirling high into the air.
David watched Dean’s body tearing through the clouds. Then he began shooting at Dean with balls of burning orange energy. They pushed into Dean’s stomach, lifting him higher and higher.
David launched himself with missile-like speed toward George Dean and the two began trading attacks. Their fists made the sky erupt with the force of a nuclear explosion. The ground below shivered viciously. The air around the entire area became thick with the smoke of battle. And the citizens of Union Cross were all looking into the sky that was being set ablaze with orange and red power. Camera crews and news helicopters began swarming onto the scene, recording every war cry, broadcasting every devastating blow.
David Johnson pushed George Dean away, then threw his arm out in front of him and a massive, burning orange tornado was released from David’s fist. Then David threw the other arm and another one came out. And another. And another. And another.
The giant tornadoes crashed into George Dean, spinning him and whirling him and tearing his battle suit to shreds. David Johnson watched Dean yell as the cyclones viciously carried him off into the distance. David was exhausted. He thought he had won. He thought it was over.
Then David's eyes caught a faint, dark red glimmer from the distance. George Dean’s suit was at the end of its rope, but he had just enough power for one final attack, the one that would finally finish David Johnson.
Suddenly, David Johnson flew toward George, his body was bursting with orange power as he was rapidly closing the distance between them. When David got within range, he came at George with a flurry of burning punches. George evaded them all with ease, laughing at David all the while. Then he grabbed one of David’s arms and threw a knee into his gut.
“Pathetic!” Dean shouted.
George Dean slashed his elbow hard across David’s cheek. David tried to retaliate with a punch. But George caught his arm before he could land it. Then he threw David down and sent him tumbling onto the rooftop of a building. Right before David got up, he heard the roar of George Dean’s voice booming in the sky. David looked up and saw George glowing brightly. He didn’t know what was going on.
After a few moments, George Dean began to release a hail of dark red energy beams. He could see Dean’s hands pumping them out, his arms moving in rapid succession like a machine gun, raining down millions and millions of laser shots. David did his best to dodge it all, but it was impossible not to get hit. The beams tore through him and ripped up his clothes. David was trying to figure out what to do when suddenly the beams ceased from falling. There was a sense of relieve until David heard Dean’s voice, again roaring in the sky with the ferocity of a wild beast. David looked up again and saw Dean with a gigantic sphere of red energy forming over his head, like George Dean was bench pressing the moon.
Then Dean threw the sphere.
Moving out of the way was only half of David’s problem. The other half would come if he allowed the sphere hit the building and seriously injure people. The only way David could stop it is if he faced the sphere head on. He looked at the bright circle of energy and was afraid. He took a deep breath and he jumped at it.
George Dean was laughing manically as he watched the sphere descending to the spot where his last saw David Johnson. The sphere was too big for him to see whether or not it had actually made impact. But George Dean was laughing all the same. There was no way David Johnson was getting out of this.
But as Dean watched the sphere, it began vibrate. And if he hadn’t know any better, he could have sworn the sphere was moving back toward him. Suddenly, the sphere exploded in to a million pieces and faded away. When the blinding light from the explosion began to disappear, he saw David Johnson bursting toward him with his whole body burning orange. The moment he was within reach David curved his fist into Dean’s chin with an uppercut that sent him twirling high into the air.
David watched Dean’s body tearing through the clouds. Then he began shooting at Dean with balls of burning orange energy. They pushed into Dean’s stomach, lifting him higher and higher.
David launched himself with missile-like speed toward George Dean and the two began trading attacks. Their fists made the sky erupt with the force of a nuclear explosion. The ground below shivered viciously. The air around the entire area became thick with the smoke of battle. And the citizens of Union Cross were all looking into the sky that was being set ablaze with orange and red power. Camera crews and news helicopters began swarming onto the scene, recording every war cry, broadcasting every devastating blow.
David Johnson pushed George Dean away, then threw his arm out in front of him and a massive, burning orange tornado was released from David’s fist. Then David threw the other arm and another one came out. And another. And another. And another.
The giant tornadoes crashed into George Dean, spinning him and whirling him and tearing his battle suit to shreds. David Johnson watched Dean yell as the cyclones viciously carried him off into the distance. David was exhausted. He thought he had won. He thought it was over.
Then David's eyes caught a faint, dark red glimmer from the distance. George Dean’s suit was at the end of its rope, but he had just enough power for one final attack, the one that would finally finish David Johnson.
Episode 19
George Dean had finally returned to exact his revenge. It had been a year since his father had banished him from the Dean Enterprise empire after losing to David Johnson in an exhibition match. George Dean had spent that time fostering his hatred and humiliation. He used that, as well as he enormous bank account, to travel the world and train until the day he would see David Johnson face to face. And now that day was here.
Where George Dean had come back to Union Cross, the first thing he did was steal his father's new and improved DeanMachine 4.0, the ultimate battle suit, a weapon designed to use human hatred as fuel, something George Dean had in abundance.
David Johnson was still scouring the skies when he heard a strange sound. At first it was light and soft, like a small bug. But it grew and grew until the noise resembled the motor of a truck.
By the time David saw something approaching him, it was too late. And what looked like a burning ball of dark red energy rammed David, sent him tumbling in the air until he crashed through the window of an abandoned building.
As David was slowing getting up, shaking the chips of glass from his body, he saw a young man hovering just outside the window. He was wearing a black battle suit with red ribbings cut all around it. There was smoke and steaming energy pouring from the vents that covered the suit.
“Surprised to see me?” George Dean said with a smile. “I lost everything because of you, David Johnson. I’m going to finish you today and I’m going to get everything back.”
Just as David got to his feet, George’s body began to burn and glimmer with dark red power. Suddenly, George charged at him.
David didn’t have time to move. He crossed his hands in front of his face and absorbed the hit. It viciously pushed him back. But right before he hit the wall, George Dean was instantly behind him, blasting him in the back and sending him flying out the shattered window. And as David was falling, Dean grabbed his ankle and flew upward. Then Dean threw David in the air and shot another blast of energy from his palm. But David was able to regain control of himself and dodge it.
“There's nothing you can do,” George said as the two of them were floating about the city. “No place to run. No place on earth I won't find you. My name is George Otis Dean. And I will have my vengeance.”
Where George Dean had come back to Union Cross, the first thing he did was steal his father's new and improved DeanMachine 4.0, the ultimate battle suit, a weapon designed to use human hatred as fuel, something George Dean had in abundance.
David Johnson was still scouring the skies when he heard a strange sound. At first it was light and soft, like a small bug. But it grew and grew until the noise resembled the motor of a truck.
By the time David saw something approaching him, it was too late. And what looked like a burning ball of dark red energy rammed David, sent him tumbling in the air until he crashed through the window of an abandoned building.
As David was slowing getting up, shaking the chips of glass from his body, he saw a young man hovering just outside the window. He was wearing a black battle suit with red ribbings cut all around it. There was smoke and steaming energy pouring from the vents that covered the suit.
“Surprised to see me?” George Dean said with a smile. “I lost everything because of you, David Johnson. I’m going to finish you today and I’m going to get everything back.”
Just as David got to his feet, George’s body began to burn and glimmer with dark red power. Suddenly, George charged at him.
David didn’t have time to move. He crossed his hands in front of his face and absorbed the hit. It viciously pushed him back. But right before he hit the wall, George Dean was instantly behind him, blasting him in the back and sending him flying out the shattered window. And as David was falling, Dean grabbed his ankle and flew upward. Then Dean threw David in the air and shot another blast of energy from his palm. But David was able to regain control of himself and dodge it.
“There's nothing you can do,” George said as the two of them were floating about the city. “No place to run. No place on earth I won't find you. My name is George Otis Dean. And I will have my vengeance.”
Episode 18
David Johnson walked into the conference room on the seventh floor of C.O.R.E. headquarters. He saw Carolyn Cross sitting at the head of the long table smiling with her arms folded.
“So, how did it go?” Carolyn asked.
“Well I can fly now," David Johnson. "That guy, that Benjamin King fellow. Was he real? Or was it all a dream?"
“Unfortunately, I'm not a liberty to talk about that.” Carolyn replied. “But you have completed your training. So I think you’re ready for your first assignment? I need you to do is head Downtown. Our readings indicate some kind of massive energy spike coming from the Downtown region. Why don't you test you're new flying abilities and check it out.”
“Got it,” David said as he was leaving the room. “I’ll let you know what I find.”
“And David,” Carolyn stopped him. “Be careful.”
David gave her a thumbs up and left headquarters. Carolyn Cross was still sitting at the table in deep contemplation. Then a boy with brown dreadlocks faded into the room from nowhere and put a hand on Carolyn’s shoulder.
“Are you worried about David?” Walker asked.
“Yeah,” Carolyn replied. “He might not be prepared to deal with what he finds Downtown."
“I’m scared too,” Walker said. “But the Lord said this has to happen. So we have to trust him, and trust David to make the right choice.”
When David got Downtown, he flew as high as he could and scanned the area for trouble. He searched and searched. Nothing. After while, he began to think Carolyn had made a rare mistake. Perhaps the energy readings were wrong. But something in the pit of his stomach was telling him otherwise.
David Johnson circled the area once more, not noticing the person who was watching him from the ground behind one of the skyscrapers. The young man was wearing an advanced battle suit, tracking David’s every move with a device on his wrist.
“Finally,” the young man said, his face shrouded in the shadows behind the building.
Then he stepped out the darkness and the light revealed his face. The young man had ocean blue eyes and fine blond hair, the kind that only the best conditioners were worthy of. And when he grinned at the sight of David Johnson, he showed his sharp, shining white teeth, as if all he had to do was smiled to prove that he was better than you. There was a large, red scar running down the side of his face.
George Dean had finally returned to exact his revenge.
“So, how did it go?” Carolyn asked.
“Well I can fly now," David Johnson. "That guy, that Benjamin King fellow. Was he real? Or was it all a dream?"
“Unfortunately, I'm not a liberty to talk about that.” Carolyn replied. “But you have completed your training. So I think you’re ready for your first assignment? I need you to do is head Downtown. Our readings indicate some kind of massive energy spike coming from the Downtown region. Why don't you test you're new flying abilities and check it out.”
“Got it,” David said as he was leaving the room. “I’ll let you know what I find.”
“And David,” Carolyn stopped him. “Be careful.”
David gave her a thumbs up and left headquarters. Carolyn Cross was still sitting at the table in deep contemplation. Then a boy with brown dreadlocks faded into the room from nowhere and put a hand on Carolyn’s shoulder.
“Are you worried about David?” Walker asked.
“Yeah,” Carolyn replied. “He might not be prepared to deal with what he finds Downtown."
“I’m scared too,” Walker said. “But the Lord said this has to happen. So we have to trust him, and trust David to make the right choice.”
When David got Downtown, he flew as high as he could and scanned the area for trouble. He searched and searched. Nothing. After while, he began to think Carolyn had made a rare mistake. Perhaps the energy readings were wrong. But something in the pit of his stomach was telling him otherwise.
David Johnson circled the area once more, not noticing the person who was watching him from the ground behind one of the skyscrapers. The young man was wearing an advanced battle suit, tracking David’s every move with a device on his wrist.
“Finally,” the young man said, his face shrouded in the shadows behind the building.
Then he stepped out the darkness and the light revealed his face. The young man had ocean blue eyes and fine blond hair, the kind that only the best conditioners were worthy of. And when he grinned at the sight of David Johnson, he showed his sharp, shining white teeth, as if all he had to do was smiled to prove that he was better than you. There was a large, red scar running down the side of his face.
George Dean had finally returned to exact his revenge.
Episode 17
David opened the first door in the House of De-Corruption. It showed another version of the day he lost his virginity. In this version, the girl was on top of him screaming Weak! Pathetic! Disgusting! Weak! Pathetic! Disgusting! Weak! Pathetic! Disgusting!
“The first door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Purity," Benjamin King said. "It deals with PLEASURE, but is corrupted by GUILT. True pleasure, the kind that the Lord wants for us, can only be attained when we accept the fact that God forgives us. Let go of the shame. Let go of the self-condemnation. Push it away from your mind. Let go and be free.”
David opened the second door. Explosions. Deaths. Wars. Reality bent and swerved all around him trying to make him go insane. There was a toddler version of himself crying out for help.
“The second door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Stability," King said. It deals with PEACE, but is corrupted by CHAOS. The things that cause us the greatest chaos are the unfortunate situations of life with which we have no control over. The key is to focus on what you can do, while giving everything you can't do over to God.”
David moved on to the third door, which showed a younger version of himself as an outcast. He was on a dark, lonely road with tears in his eyes. He was going down one side of the road by himself, while the rest of the world laughed and walked in the opposite direction.
“The third door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Reality," King said. "It deals with TRUTH, and is corrupted by LIES. The greatest lie that we Christians tell ourselves is that we can be both God pleasers and world pleasers. We live in the world, but we are not of the world. Follow the ways of God, not the ways of the world.”
David opened the fourth door and found a bulkier, more muscular version of himself in a dark room with an old man strapped to a wooden chair. David had been torturing him for several days. The man was David Johnson’s father. He was bloody and crying, begging for it to stop. David had been torturing his father for abandoning him when he was born.
“The fourth door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Change," King said. It deals with FORGIVENESS, but is corrupted by ANGER. It’s hard to let go of what others have done to you, especially the ones who are supposed to love you. But before you let loose your rage upon them, consider your own sins. If God can forgive you for the things you've done, you surely can do the same for others.”
David reached for the final door. But it didn’t open. Instead, blinding light began flooding into the house. It was so bright that it took away his ability to see. Suddenly, David Johnson was falling uncontrollably. He screamed and cried for help. He didn’t think he would ever stop falling. Then his body began shimmering orange and suddenly David Johnson found himself flying.
“The final door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Light," King said. "It deals with FAITH, and is corrupted by FEAR. What we fear most are the things we can't see. We can't always see how it's going to work out. But the world of the unseen is exactly where the Holy Spirit dwells. Surrender yourself to the Lord's embrace. He won't let you fall. He won't.”
The alarm went off. David Johnson woke up. He was back home. Back in his room. He got up from his bed and looked at his clock. It was close to four in the morning.
“The first door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Purity," Benjamin King said. "It deals with PLEASURE, but is corrupted by GUILT. True pleasure, the kind that the Lord wants for us, can only be attained when we accept the fact that God forgives us. Let go of the shame. Let go of the self-condemnation. Push it away from your mind. Let go and be free.”
David opened the second door. Explosions. Deaths. Wars. Reality bent and swerved all around him trying to make him go insane. There was a toddler version of himself crying out for help.
“The second door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Stability," King said. It deals with PEACE, but is corrupted by CHAOS. The things that cause us the greatest chaos are the unfortunate situations of life with which we have no control over. The key is to focus on what you can do, while giving everything you can't do over to God.”
David moved on to the third door, which showed a younger version of himself as an outcast. He was on a dark, lonely road with tears in his eyes. He was going down one side of the road by himself, while the rest of the world laughed and walked in the opposite direction.
“The third door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Reality," King said. "It deals with TRUTH, and is corrupted by LIES. The greatest lie that we Christians tell ourselves is that we can be both God pleasers and world pleasers. We live in the world, but we are not of the world. Follow the ways of God, not the ways of the world.”
David opened the fourth door and found a bulkier, more muscular version of himself in a dark room with an old man strapped to a wooden chair. David had been torturing him for several days. The man was David Johnson’s father. He was bloody and crying, begging for it to stop. David had been torturing his father for abandoning him when he was born.
“The fourth door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Change," King said. It deals with FORGIVENESS, but is corrupted by ANGER. It’s hard to let go of what others have done to you, especially the ones who are supposed to love you. But before you let loose your rage upon them, consider your own sins. If God can forgive you for the things you've done, you surely can do the same for others.”
David reached for the final door. But it didn’t open. Instead, blinding light began flooding into the house. It was so bright that it took away his ability to see. Suddenly, David Johnson was falling uncontrollably. He screamed and cried for help. He didn’t think he would ever stop falling. Then his body began shimmering orange and suddenly David Johnson found himself flying.
“The final door to open in the De-Corruption Process is the Door of Light," King said. "It deals with FAITH, and is corrupted by FEAR. What we fear most are the things we can't see. We can't always see how it's going to work out. But the world of the unseen is exactly where the Holy Spirit dwells. Surrender yourself to the Lord's embrace. He won't let you fall. He won't.”
The alarm went off. David Johnson woke up. He was back home. Back in his room. He got up from his bed and looked at his clock. It was close to four in the morning.
Episode 16
It was 4 a.m. when the limousine showed up in front of his house in Union Cross. He didn’t know who Carolyn Cross wanted him to meet. Or what he had to get up so early to meet him.
“You have any idea where we’re going?” David leaned over and asked the limo driver.
“Don't know,” the young driver replied. “They hired me, gave me this fancy GPS device, told me to pick you up and follow the directions. I’m just trying to get a paycheck.”
Still a little woozy, David kicked off his shoes, curled himself comfortably in the back seat, and soon he was snoring.
Several hours went by before the limo stopped. David Johnson woke up slowly, wiping the crust from his eyes before outstretching his arms to crack his bones back into place.
“We made it,” the driver said. “Still not sure where we are exactly. We passed a sign about a half hour ago. Says we’re in the city of Rosetown.”
David got out of the limo, briefly turning his head away from the glaring sunlight as he did. He look around him and there appeared to be absolutely nothing. Just endless fields of corn that stretched on for miles.
“See that house over there?” The driver pointed and yelled out of his window. “That’s where you’re supposed to go. It was nice to meet ya, buddy? Have a nice day!”
And before David could respond, the driver sped off down a dirt road.
It took David Johnson about twenty minutes to ferret his way through the vast cornfields toward the large, white house. He was irritated, to say the least. He had been forced to get up before any sign of sunlight, drive for several hours into unfamiliar territory, and now he was trudging through a massive cornfield.
When David finally made it to house at the end of the field, he saw a man sitting on the porch with a large smile on his face. There was something faintly strange about the house. It looked normal enough. A white, two-story house with blue shutters, a large porch with a few plants, a chimney. But something about it felt off. Or perhaps it was the fatigue and the hunger distorting David’s judgment.
“David,” the elderly man on the porch said. He was wearing an old t-shirt, blue pajama pants, and a pair of sandals. His hair, a crop of tiny white spikes, was strangely messy.
“Come on up, I’ve got some food waiting for you up here”
David walked up the porch and sat down next to him on the bench, where there was a large plate of pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and a curious pile of creamed corn. There was also a tall glass of fruit punch.
As soon as David’s butt hit the bench, he was viciously swallowing up the food. It wasn’t until he was almost completely done that he realized he forgot to say his grace. He looked over at the man sitting next to him.
“It’s ok,” he said with a smile. “Happens to me all the time.”
David chuckled.
“So what’s going on?” David asked as he was wiping his face with a napkin. “Who are you?
"Benjamin King," the man said. "Carolyn Cross sent you to me because she wants you to unlock your true potential."
Benjamin King poured himself a glass of fruit punch.
“I won’t lie and say that what we're about to do is easy," King said. He took a few sips of his drink and continued. “I'm sure Cross has told you that the miracle gene is what connects our spiritual bodies to the Lord, who is the source of all power. The Lord’s will is to use the gifts we have to serve him. But God won’t force his will on anyone. That means we have the potential to do great things and equally horrible things.That’s the dark side to the miracle gene, David. And if you give in to it, then you’ll become nothing more than an extension of the evil you carry in your soul.”
David Johnson was silent. Benjamin King stood up from the bench.
“Follow me,” he said. It's time.
Both of them step off the porch and walked few steps back from the front of the house.
“Now look at this house," Benjamin King said. "Tell me what you see.”
“I see a house. A nice, big house. Painted white.”
“Really focus on what’s in front of you, David,” the pastor said. “See it with God’s eyes. See it with the power he’s given you.”
David Johnson concentrated on the house, his eyes squinting and tensing with all the muscles in his face. Suddenly his eyes flared up with intense orange power. And that’s when he saw the house for what it truly was. It was some kind of illusionary construct made of black and silver light. The construct had a simple hallway path with five doors.
“What is this place?” David asked the question, but he found himself asking it not with his lips, but with his mind.
“Welcome to the House of De-Corruption, David,” the pastor’s voice echoed in his mind. “This house is a representation of the place inside you where the power of your miracle gene resides. It is here where we begin to unlock the potential that the Lord has given you. Now let us begin. Open the first door, David.”
“You have any idea where we’re going?” David leaned over and asked the limo driver.
“Don't know,” the young driver replied. “They hired me, gave me this fancy GPS device, told me to pick you up and follow the directions. I’m just trying to get a paycheck.”
Still a little woozy, David kicked off his shoes, curled himself comfortably in the back seat, and soon he was snoring.
Several hours went by before the limo stopped. David Johnson woke up slowly, wiping the crust from his eyes before outstretching his arms to crack his bones back into place.
“We made it,” the driver said. “Still not sure where we are exactly. We passed a sign about a half hour ago. Says we’re in the city of Rosetown.”
David got out of the limo, briefly turning his head away from the glaring sunlight as he did. He look around him and there appeared to be absolutely nothing. Just endless fields of corn that stretched on for miles.
“See that house over there?” The driver pointed and yelled out of his window. “That’s where you’re supposed to go. It was nice to meet ya, buddy? Have a nice day!”
And before David could respond, the driver sped off down a dirt road.
It took David Johnson about twenty minutes to ferret his way through the vast cornfields toward the large, white house. He was irritated, to say the least. He had been forced to get up before any sign of sunlight, drive for several hours into unfamiliar territory, and now he was trudging through a massive cornfield.
When David finally made it to house at the end of the field, he saw a man sitting on the porch with a large smile on his face. There was something faintly strange about the house. It looked normal enough. A white, two-story house with blue shutters, a large porch with a few plants, a chimney. But something about it felt off. Or perhaps it was the fatigue and the hunger distorting David’s judgment.
“David,” the elderly man on the porch said. He was wearing an old t-shirt, blue pajama pants, and a pair of sandals. His hair, a crop of tiny white spikes, was strangely messy.
“Come on up, I’ve got some food waiting for you up here”
David walked up the porch and sat down next to him on the bench, where there was a large plate of pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and a curious pile of creamed corn. There was also a tall glass of fruit punch.
As soon as David’s butt hit the bench, he was viciously swallowing up the food. It wasn’t until he was almost completely done that he realized he forgot to say his grace. He looked over at the man sitting next to him.
“It’s ok,” he said with a smile. “Happens to me all the time.”
David chuckled.
“So what’s going on?” David asked as he was wiping his face with a napkin. “Who are you?
"Benjamin King," the man said. "Carolyn Cross sent you to me because she wants you to unlock your true potential."
Benjamin King poured himself a glass of fruit punch.
“I won’t lie and say that what we're about to do is easy," King said. He took a few sips of his drink and continued. “I'm sure Cross has told you that the miracle gene is what connects our spiritual bodies to the Lord, who is the source of all power. The Lord’s will is to use the gifts we have to serve him. But God won’t force his will on anyone. That means we have the potential to do great things and equally horrible things.That’s the dark side to the miracle gene, David. And if you give in to it, then you’ll become nothing more than an extension of the evil you carry in your soul.”
David Johnson was silent. Benjamin King stood up from the bench.
“Follow me,” he said. It's time.
Both of them step off the porch and walked few steps back from the front of the house.
“Now look at this house," Benjamin King said. "Tell me what you see.”
“I see a house. A nice, big house. Painted white.”
“Really focus on what’s in front of you, David,” the pastor said. “See it with God’s eyes. See it with the power he’s given you.”
David Johnson concentrated on the house, his eyes squinting and tensing with all the muscles in his face. Suddenly his eyes flared up with intense orange power. And that’s when he saw the house for what it truly was. It was some kind of illusionary construct made of black and silver light. The construct had a simple hallway path with five doors.
“What is this place?” David asked the question, but he found himself asking it not with his lips, but with his mind.
“Welcome to the House of De-Corruption, David,” the pastor’s voice echoed in his mind. “This house is a representation of the place inside you where the power of your miracle gene resides. It is here where we begin to unlock the potential that the Lord has given you. Now let us begin. Open the first door, David.”
Episode 15
David Johnson pushed Carolyn away sobbing and ran off. He had just told Carolyn Cross, who was now chasing him through the woods, that he was not a virgin. He had never told anyone this before.
When Carolyn caught up to him, David threw a burning orange fist at her face. She dodged it easily, then grabbed his other arm and subdued it behind his back.
“Let go of me!” David cried. “Let go of me! Leave me alone!”
“Calm down, David,” Carolyn said with a tender voice. “You don’t have to be ashamed.”
“But I am ashamed.” David turned to look into her eyes. “I’m ashamed of myself. I’m so ashamed.”
Carolyn embraced him and David’s tears wet her shoulder.
“When did it happen?” she asked.
“It was a few months before my 14th birthday.” David began. “I wasn’t hanging out with the right crowd back then, at least that’s what grandpa always told me. All of my friends had already done it with girls before. I didn’t have a girlfriend, so my friend Dale found this 15 year-old girl who live down the street from him. I remember thinking she was so hot. Dale and the rest of my friends took us to this old hotel that’d been shut down. And that’s where I lost my virginity. I never told grandpa. The real sad part is that I don’t even remember the girl’s name. So I can‘t join your group, Carolyn.”
“Well, David,” Carolyn began. “If that’s the way you feel, then I guess I can’t stop you. But if you quit C.O.R.E…then I guess I should quit, too.”
David Johnson looked at her. “You mean…”
“That’s right,” Carolyn said after a sigh. “I lost my virginity when I was young too. My parents were always telling me to wait till I was married. But when I was in high school I had this really cute boyfriend. He was a senior and I was a freshman. He was captain of the football team and the school president. One Saturday while his parents were away, he invited me over. He told me that if I didn’t come over, he’d dump me. So I did what he wanted me to do. And he’s the guy I lost my virginity to.”
Carolyn laughed a bit, as if just to keep herself from crying.
“It’s so funny.” Carolyn began to sniffle. “I saw him at the grocery store few months ago and you know what? He didn’t even recognize me. Didn’t even remember my name. I felt awful. Even after all those years. I gave that special part of myself to someone who’s a complete stranger to me now. So I should be the one to leave C.O.R.E., David, not you. If there’s anyone not fit to be apart of this organization, it’s me.”
“That’s not true,” David said. “You’re a child of Christ. My grandpa says that if you’re a child of Christ, then you’ve been forgiven, that God will wash your sins away. You may not be worthy…but the Lord has made you worthy by forgiving you. In fact, I can’t think of a better person for C.O.R.E. than you. You shouldn’t feel guilty about something that you’ve been forgiven for and…”
Carolyn Cross tilted her head with a big smile while slowly place both hands on her hips. David Johnson was starting to get the picture.
“Alright, I get it. I get it.” David smacked his lips. “I won’t quit C.O.R.E. But can we take a break?”
"Good," Carolyn said. "Because there's someone I want you to meet."
When Carolyn caught up to him, David threw a burning orange fist at her face. She dodged it easily, then grabbed his other arm and subdued it behind his back.
“Let go of me!” David cried. “Let go of me! Leave me alone!”
“Calm down, David,” Carolyn said with a tender voice. “You don’t have to be ashamed.”
“But I am ashamed.” David turned to look into her eyes. “I’m ashamed of myself. I’m so ashamed.”
Carolyn embraced him and David’s tears wet her shoulder.
“When did it happen?” she asked.
“It was a few months before my 14th birthday.” David began. “I wasn’t hanging out with the right crowd back then, at least that’s what grandpa always told me. All of my friends had already done it with girls before. I didn’t have a girlfriend, so my friend Dale found this 15 year-old girl who live down the street from him. I remember thinking she was so hot. Dale and the rest of my friends took us to this old hotel that’d been shut down. And that’s where I lost my virginity. I never told grandpa. The real sad part is that I don’t even remember the girl’s name. So I can‘t join your group, Carolyn.”
“Well, David,” Carolyn began. “If that’s the way you feel, then I guess I can’t stop you. But if you quit C.O.R.E…then I guess I should quit, too.”
David Johnson looked at her. “You mean…”
“That’s right,” Carolyn said after a sigh. “I lost my virginity when I was young too. My parents were always telling me to wait till I was married. But when I was in high school I had this really cute boyfriend. He was a senior and I was a freshman. He was captain of the football team and the school president. One Saturday while his parents were away, he invited me over. He told me that if I didn’t come over, he’d dump me. So I did what he wanted me to do. And he’s the guy I lost my virginity to.”
Carolyn laughed a bit, as if just to keep herself from crying.
“It’s so funny.” Carolyn began to sniffle. “I saw him at the grocery store few months ago and you know what? He didn’t even recognize me. Didn’t even remember my name. I felt awful. Even after all those years. I gave that special part of myself to someone who’s a complete stranger to me now. So I should be the one to leave C.O.R.E., David, not you. If there’s anyone not fit to be apart of this organization, it’s me.”
“That’s not true,” David said. “You’re a child of Christ. My grandpa says that if you’re a child of Christ, then you’ve been forgiven, that God will wash your sins away. You may not be worthy…but the Lord has made you worthy by forgiving you. In fact, I can’t think of a better person for C.O.R.E. than you. You shouldn’t feel guilty about something that you’ve been forgiven for and…”
Carolyn Cross tilted her head with a big smile while slowly place both hands on her hips. David Johnson was starting to get the picture.
“Alright, I get it. I get it.” David smacked his lips. “I won’t quit C.O.R.E. But can we take a break?”
"Good," Carolyn said. "Because there's someone I want you to meet."
Episode 14
The cool afternoon breeze in the woods was the only comfort that God was going to allow him. He used everything he had at Carolyn Cross. Every punch. Every kick. Every single move in his arsenal. But David Johnson couldn’t touch her.
“You left yourself open!” Carolyn said as she was evading an attack.
Carolyn dodged a punch, then tripped David to the ground. “I know you can move faster than that.”
David got back up and tried two more punches. Carolyn slapped the first one away, then caught the second one in her hand, twisted David’s arm behind his back, forced him to his knees, smacked him several times in the head and kicked him away.
“Is that the best you‘ve got, David?!” Carolyn screamed as David rolled away from her. “Your attacks are slow. Weak. Bottom line: You lack skill!”
Carolyn’s words cut into David‘s pride. She could see it in the way his face twitched as he tried to hold back the tears. David’s hands began to burn orange. Then he screamed and charged at Carolyn again with a flurry of punches.
Carolyn jumped at the moment of his attack and shoved her knee under David’s chin while she was in the air. David fell to the ground. He tried to get up, but his body wouldn’t let him.
When David Johnson had decided to join C.O.R.E, he didn’t know what Carolyn meant when she said he needed training. So he refused it. Carolyn Cross had decided to show him why that wasn’t a good idea.
“Never attack in anger, David,” Carolyn Cross said she touched her forehead.
“See, David.” Carolyn was showing him the palm of her hand. “Not one drop of sweat. And I’m moving much slower than I normally do. You haven’t laid a finger on me. Yet you’re the one on the ground, breathing heavy and sweating more bullets than an AK-47. You want to know why? Because my mind is right, David.”
She walked over to David and helped him to his feet.
“Your problem is that you think with tunnel vision, David,” Carolyn continued. “When you fight, all you tend to think about is the person in front of you. You focus too much on your enemy instead of your purpose. A true warrior doesn’t fight with the desire to win, but with the desire to help others. My goal wasn’t to defeat you, but to help you see your mistakes so that I can train you. And the better you are, the better you will be able to do what God has placed in your heart. I want to help you get your mind right.”
David was in a lot of pain, but Carolyn could tell that he was finally beginning to listen. She observed him. It didn’t seem like it, but Carolyn Cross hadn’t fought with someone as strong as David Johnson in a long time. She was able to use her experience to get the better of him, but she had never encountered a fighter with David’s level of raw power. Of course, she was careful not to tell him that.
David turned away from her and took a deep breath. “Look are you absolutely sure you want me in C.O.R.E.? It’s not like I have a spotless background or anything.”
“We know that,” Carolyn replied. “We know your school record and we know you’ve had some run-ins with the law, spent a few nights in a jail cell. It’s ok. You can still be a valuable asset for C.O.R.E.”
“But…it’s more than that.” David looked back at her with watery eyes.
“What is it, David? You can tell me.”
David opened his mouth for a moment, then turned his back and began to walk away.
“You know what, forget it. I don’t want to talk about. In fact, I change my mind altogether. I’m not right for C.O.R.E., ok?”
Carolyn Cross ran in front of him. “You're not going anywhere until you give me an explanation. You can trust me. I won’t tell anyone.”
“I shouldn’t be joining your group because…because…I’m not pure.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not…my body’s not… not good enough.”
“I don‘t know what you‘re talking about, David.”
“I’m not a virgin, ok!?” David cried out with tears rolling down his face. “There! I said! I’m not a virgin! Now leave me alone!”
“You left yourself open!” Carolyn said as she was evading an attack.
Carolyn dodged a punch, then tripped David to the ground. “I know you can move faster than that.”
David got back up and tried two more punches. Carolyn slapped the first one away, then caught the second one in her hand, twisted David’s arm behind his back, forced him to his knees, smacked him several times in the head and kicked him away.
“Is that the best you‘ve got, David?!” Carolyn screamed as David rolled away from her. “Your attacks are slow. Weak. Bottom line: You lack skill!”
Carolyn’s words cut into David‘s pride. She could see it in the way his face twitched as he tried to hold back the tears. David’s hands began to burn orange. Then he screamed and charged at Carolyn again with a flurry of punches.
Carolyn jumped at the moment of his attack and shoved her knee under David’s chin while she was in the air. David fell to the ground. He tried to get up, but his body wouldn’t let him.
When David Johnson had decided to join C.O.R.E, he didn’t know what Carolyn meant when she said he needed training. So he refused it. Carolyn Cross had decided to show him why that wasn’t a good idea.
“Never attack in anger, David,” Carolyn Cross said she touched her forehead.
“See, David.” Carolyn was showing him the palm of her hand. “Not one drop of sweat. And I’m moving much slower than I normally do. You haven’t laid a finger on me. Yet you’re the one on the ground, breathing heavy and sweating more bullets than an AK-47. You want to know why? Because my mind is right, David.”
She walked over to David and helped him to his feet.
“Your problem is that you think with tunnel vision, David,” Carolyn continued. “When you fight, all you tend to think about is the person in front of you. You focus too much on your enemy instead of your purpose. A true warrior doesn’t fight with the desire to win, but with the desire to help others. My goal wasn’t to defeat you, but to help you see your mistakes so that I can train you. And the better you are, the better you will be able to do what God has placed in your heart. I want to help you get your mind right.”
David was in a lot of pain, but Carolyn could tell that he was finally beginning to listen. She observed him. It didn’t seem like it, but Carolyn Cross hadn’t fought with someone as strong as David Johnson in a long time. She was able to use her experience to get the better of him, but she had never encountered a fighter with David’s level of raw power. Of course, she was careful not to tell him that.
David turned away from her and took a deep breath. “Look are you absolutely sure you want me in C.O.R.E.? It’s not like I have a spotless background or anything.”
“We know that,” Carolyn replied. “We know your school record and we know you’ve had some run-ins with the law, spent a few nights in a jail cell. It’s ok. You can still be a valuable asset for C.O.R.E.”
“But…it’s more than that.” David looked back at her with watery eyes.
“What is it, David? You can tell me.”
David opened his mouth for a moment, then turned his back and began to walk away.
“You know what, forget it. I don’t want to talk about. In fact, I change my mind altogether. I’m not right for C.O.R.E., ok?”
Carolyn Cross ran in front of him. “You're not going anywhere until you give me an explanation. You can trust me. I won’t tell anyone.”
“I shouldn’t be joining your group because…because…I’m not pure.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not…my body’s not… not good enough.”
“I don‘t know what you‘re talking about, David.”
“I’m not a virgin, ok!?” David cried out with tears rolling down his face. “There! I said! I’m not a virgin! Now leave me alone!”
Episode 13
Carolyn Cross' second office was far more stylistic than the first office. The floor was made of fine wood that was polished to a brilliant shine. Expensive pottery and artwork was stack on all sides of the room. At her white marble desk was another picture of her with Walker. But unlike the one in the first office, the frame was made of gold. Gospel music was softly playing in the background as Carolyn Cross took her seat on the large and plush leather chair behind the desk. David sat in the smaller leather chair in front of the desk.
“This is where we operate, David.” she said. “Our mission is to serve others so that they might know the Lord. In order to do this, we required the use of gifted individuals.”
“Like Walker?” he asked.
“Exactly,” she replied. “As you‘ve already experienced, Walker is gifted with, among other things, the ability to teleport. There are others like him, you know, with gifts and talents that are unexplainable to most. But we know the truth. It’s called the miracle gene.”
David had a puzzled look on his face.
“I was confused, too,” Carolyn continued. “But my superiors here explained it to me. Nearly every important figure in the bible displayed some form of supernatural ability - the strength of Samson, the visions of the Prophets, even the miracles of Jesus himself. We believe they all carried the miracle gene, a mass of spiritually genetic material that connects those who believe to the source of all power. Please understand, you can’t put the gene under a microscope and exam it. But it’s there. We called the carriers of the gene ‘miracles.’ Walker is a miracle. So am I. And so are you, David. Everything about you, your hands, your inventiveness, they‘re from the Lord.”
It was silence for a moment. David was trying to take it all in.
“What do you want with me?” David asked. “Why are you telling me all of this?”
“I’d like for you to become an associate-level field agent for us,” Carolyn said. “You have a good spirit, a strong will, and the power to do great things. But you need guidance. You are reckless, David. Your anger gets the better of you. We can help you to -”
“I don’t need help controlling myself,” David said.
“You were about to injure that man very badly before we came to get you!” Carolyn said. “If Walker hadn’t showed up, who knows what could have happened!”
“Well, so what!” David sprang up from his chair. “Why show mercy to people that don’t deserve it?!”
“Would you just listen to yourself, David!” Carolyn replied. “No mercy? That’s not something a man of God would say. Imagine if there was no mercy for you, David. Imagine if God suddenly stopped forgiving you for the things you’ve done. What then?”
David sat back down in the chair, shook his head with frustration and was silent.
“I know what you’re feeling, David,” Carolyn began. “I’ve been there. But you can‘t make every problem in the world go away with a simple punch. But by prayer and petition, make your request known to He who has all the answers.”
David didn‘t respond.
“We could really use your gifts here, David,” Carolyn said. "You would need training, of course. But I think you’ll do fine. You’ll be an associate member. Nothing full-time. You’re still in school.”
Then Carolyn touched her ear again.
“Walker, I need you.”
Walker appeared a few moments later.
“Consider my offer carefully,” Carolyn continued. “You might even find that you have other abilities as well.”
Walker grabbed his shoulder and they were gone.
“This is where we operate, David.” she said. “Our mission is to serve others so that they might know the Lord. In order to do this, we required the use of gifted individuals.”
“Like Walker?” he asked.
“Exactly,” she replied. “As you‘ve already experienced, Walker is gifted with, among other things, the ability to teleport. There are others like him, you know, with gifts and talents that are unexplainable to most. But we know the truth. It’s called the miracle gene.”
David had a puzzled look on his face.
“I was confused, too,” Carolyn continued. “But my superiors here explained it to me. Nearly every important figure in the bible displayed some form of supernatural ability - the strength of Samson, the visions of the Prophets, even the miracles of Jesus himself. We believe they all carried the miracle gene, a mass of spiritually genetic material that connects those who believe to the source of all power. Please understand, you can’t put the gene under a microscope and exam it. But it’s there. We called the carriers of the gene ‘miracles.’ Walker is a miracle. So am I. And so are you, David. Everything about you, your hands, your inventiveness, they‘re from the Lord.”
It was silence for a moment. David was trying to take it all in.
“What do you want with me?” David asked. “Why are you telling me all of this?”
“I’d like for you to become an associate-level field agent for us,” Carolyn said. “You have a good spirit, a strong will, and the power to do great things. But you need guidance. You are reckless, David. Your anger gets the better of you. We can help you to -”
“I don’t need help controlling myself,” David said.
“You were about to injure that man very badly before we came to get you!” Carolyn said. “If Walker hadn’t showed up, who knows what could have happened!”
“Well, so what!” David sprang up from his chair. “Why show mercy to people that don’t deserve it?!”
“Would you just listen to yourself, David!” Carolyn replied. “No mercy? That’s not something a man of God would say. Imagine if there was no mercy for you, David. Imagine if God suddenly stopped forgiving you for the things you’ve done. What then?”
David sat back down in the chair, shook his head with frustration and was silent.
“I know what you’re feeling, David,” Carolyn began. “I’ve been there. But you can‘t make every problem in the world go away with a simple punch. But by prayer and petition, make your request known to He who has all the answers.”
David didn‘t respond.
“We could really use your gifts here, David,” Carolyn said. "You would need training, of course. But I think you’ll do fine. You’ll be an associate member. Nothing full-time. You’re still in school.”
Then Carolyn touched her ear again.
“Walker, I need you.”
Walker appeared a few moments later.
“Consider my offer carefully,” Carolyn continued. “You might even find that you have other abilities as well.”
Walker grabbed his shoulder and they were gone.
Episode 12
The black door behind the office of Carolyn Cross led to a long, narrow hall with brick walls and dim florescent lighting. The air in the hall was strong and pungent like a fresh coat of paint. It stung the inside of David Johnson’s nostrils and made him cough.
“You’ll get use to the smell after a while,” Carolyn Cross said without turning her head.
David was about to ask what was going on when they had reached the end of the hall. It was a gigantic cave-like structure made of stone and metal. There were computers and busy people everywhere, all dressed in black and purple uniforms similar to Walker‘s.
Their voices, as well as the sounds of the vast technology, echoed throughout cave. To the right of David was a huge screen monitoring the whole city that almost covered the entire half of the wall.
Carolyn looked at the cut under David’s eye. Then she touched her ear.
“Bring me a medic,” she said.
Suddenly, a young nurse appeared from what look like a small corner in the wall and rushed toward David. She wiped the residue from the cut, washed it with a small cleaning wipe, applied an antibiotic gel to the cut and covered it with a small bandage, all in a matter of seconds. And then she was gone, as if she had never been there to begin with.
“We've been keeping tabs on you for a while,” Carolyn said as they continued walking. “You’ve got a good heart, but you only look at what’s in front of you, instead of looking beyond it to see the truth. Welcome to Christian Operations and Righteous Engagements. Or C.O.R.E. for short.”
They walked by a small group that was working on some kind of sword-like energy weapon. As he was trying to maintain his composure, David accidentally bumped into one of the workers on their way to the elevator. The worker stumbled a bit and was about to give David a piece of his mind until he saw Carolyn Cross standing next to him. He paused for a moment, then he quickly went about his business.
“David,” Carolyn said as they were approaching the elevator. “Still with me?
“Yeah,” he replied, still trying to gather himself.
She pressed the button and the glass elevator doors swooshed open.
“C.O.R.E. is an international defense organization made up of young people like yourself,” Carolyn continued as David observed the vastness down and around him. “It’s designed to deal with threats that can’t be dealt with by the secular world.”
"So is this place owned by a church or something?” David asked.
“No one person or group of people own C.O.R.E.,” Carolyn answered. “We are funded by both Christian and non-Christian organizations from around the world, including certain individuals at the Academy of Technology and Self-Defense. One of them is a man named Nelson. I believe he's the school principal. He's the one who brought you to our attention.”
The elevator stopped at the last level, the seventh level. They walked out of the elevator and into a large conference room. At the end of the room was another door engraved with the name “Cross.” A sophisticated lock was attached to the side of the door. Carolyn placed her fist on it and the device scanned her.
“Access Granted,” the computerized feminine voice said. “Welcome, Carolyn Cross. This is the day that the Lord has made.”
“You’ll get use to the smell after a while,” Carolyn Cross said without turning her head.
David was about to ask what was going on when they had reached the end of the hall. It was a gigantic cave-like structure made of stone and metal. There were computers and busy people everywhere, all dressed in black and purple uniforms similar to Walker‘s.
Their voices, as well as the sounds of the vast technology, echoed throughout cave. To the right of David was a huge screen monitoring the whole city that almost covered the entire half of the wall.
Carolyn looked at the cut under David’s eye. Then she touched her ear.
“Bring me a medic,” she said.
Suddenly, a young nurse appeared from what look like a small corner in the wall and rushed toward David. She wiped the residue from the cut, washed it with a small cleaning wipe, applied an antibiotic gel to the cut and covered it with a small bandage, all in a matter of seconds. And then she was gone, as if she had never been there to begin with.
“We've been keeping tabs on you for a while,” Carolyn said as they continued walking. “You’ve got a good heart, but you only look at what’s in front of you, instead of looking beyond it to see the truth. Welcome to Christian Operations and Righteous Engagements. Or C.O.R.E. for short.”
They walked by a small group that was working on some kind of sword-like energy weapon. As he was trying to maintain his composure, David accidentally bumped into one of the workers on their way to the elevator. The worker stumbled a bit and was about to give David a piece of his mind until he saw Carolyn Cross standing next to him. He paused for a moment, then he quickly went about his business.
“David,” Carolyn said as they were approaching the elevator. “Still with me?
“Yeah,” he replied, still trying to gather himself.
She pressed the button and the glass elevator doors swooshed open.
“C.O.R.E. is an international defense organization made up of young people like yourself,” Carolyn continued as David observed the vastness down and around him. “It’s designed to deal with threats that can’t be dealt with by the secular world.”
"So is this place owned by a church or something?” David asked.
“No one person or group of people own C.O.R.E.,” Carolyn answered. “We are funded by both Christian and non-Christian organizations from around the world, including certain individuals at the Academy of Technology and Self-Defense. One of them is a man named Nelson. I believe he's the school principal. He's the one who brought you to our attention.”
The elevator stopped at the last level, the seventh level. They walked out of the elevator and into a large conference room. At the end of the room was another door engraved with the name “Cross.” A sophisticated lock was attached to the side of the door. Carolyn placed her fist on it and the device scanned her.
“Access Granted,” the computerized feminine voice said. “Welcome, Carolyn Cross. This is the day that the Lord has made.”
Episode 11
In almost an instant, David found himself standing in a small office. He looked to his right and there was a boy with long, flowing dreadlocks standing next to him, wearing some kind of military school uniform.
The boy had on a black shirt with a purple tie, black trousers, a dress hat with a black and purple cover, black shoes and socks, and a pair of black gloves. His dreadlocks, which were wrapped behind him in a ponytail, were longer and much better kept. David didn't know where he was.
“Who are you?” David was shocked. “What’s going on here? Where am I?”
“The name is Walker,” the boy said extending his hand with a smile. “It’s nice to meet.”
David didn't shake the boy's hand. But before David could say anything else, a door was opened and a woman with short brown hair and hazel eyes walked into the office wearing a purple, three-piece suit.
“Thank you, Walker,” the woman said. “That will be all. You can go back to your post now. Dinner will be ready at seven, ok?”
“Alright,” Walker said. Then he kissed her on the cheek. “See ya later, David!”
Then Walker simply disappeared. Like chalk being erased from a chalk, the boy just faded away.
“That’s my boy,” the woman said as she walked passed David and sat behind her desk. “He’s a mess, but he’s my mess.”
David Johnson couldn't believe his eyes
“It‘s ok,” the woman said to David.
David took a seat at the chair in front of the desk and observed the office. There wasn’t anything fancy about it at all¬ ¬- brown walls, a desk, a computer, a few pictures of herself and Walker.
“My name is Carolyn Cross,” she began with her hands folded together. “I’m one of the directors of this organization.”
David looked around the office again. Whatever kind of organization this was, it must not have been a very big organization, he thought.
“Walker speaks very highly of you,” Carolyn continued. “That’s why I would like to offer you membership here. I think you’ll find that we can help you stay out of trouble.”
“What trouble?” David said firmly, still thinking about how his wrath against the purse-stealing thug had been interrupted. “I’m not in any trouble. And if I were, I don’t think there’s anything you, that kid, or your small little office could do for me.”
Carolyn smiled. Then she reached for a purple button under her desk. David saw the button as she was about to press it and thought nothing of it. Maybe she was going to buzz someone in. When she did pressed the button, however, there was nothing. No buzz. No ring. Not one sound.
Suddenly, he saw movement in the wall behind Carolyn. David babbled something as if to warn her of approaching danger. But then the wall stopped moving and a black door simply appeared. Carolyn didn‘t say anything. She just signaled with her neck to follow her, then she walked through the black door. David followed behind with slow steps.
The boy had on a black shirt with a purple tie, black trousers, a dress hat with a black and purple cover, black shoes and socks, and a pair of black gloves. His dreadlocks, which were wrapped behind him in a ponytail, were longer and much better kept. David didn't know where he was.
“Who are you?” David was shocked. “What’s going on here? Where am I?”
“The name is Walker,” the boy said extending his hand with a smile. “It’s nice to meet.”
David didn't shake the boy's hand. But before David could say anything else, a door was opened and a woman with short brown hair and hazel eyes walked into the office wearing a purple, three-piece suit.
“Thank you, Walker,” the woman said. “That will be all. You can go back to your post now. Dinner will be ready at seven, ok?”
“Alright,” Walker said. Then he kissed her on the cheek. “See ya later, David!”
Then Walker simply disappeared. Like chalk being erased from a chalk, the boy just faded away.
“That’s my boy,” the woman said as she walked passed David and sat behind her desk. “He’s a mess, but he’s my mess.”
David Johnson couldn't believe his eyes
“It‘s ok,” the woman said to David.
David took a seat at the chair in front of the desk and observed the office. There wasn’t anything fancy about it at all¬ ¬- brown walls, a desk, a computer, a few pictures of herself and Walker.
“My name is Carolyn Cross,” she began with her hands folded together. “I’m one of the directors of this organization.”
David looked around the office again. Whatever kind of organization this was, it must not have been a very big organization, he thought.
“Walker speaks very highly of you,” Carolyn continued. “That’s why I would like to offer you membership here. I think you’ll find that we can help you stay out of trouble.”
“What trouble?” David said firmly, still thinking about how his wrath against the purse-stealing thug had been interrupted. “I’m not in any trouble. And if I were, I don’t think there’s anything you, that kid, or your small little office could do for me.”
Carolyn smiled. Then she reached for a purple button under her desk. David saw the button as she was about to press it and thought nothing of it. Maybe she was going to buzz someone in. When she did pressed the button, however, there was nothing. No buzz. No ring. Not one sound.
Suddenly, he saw movement in the wall behind Carolyn. David babbled something as if to warn her of approaching danger. But then the wall stopped moving and a black door simply appeared. Carolyn didn‘t say anything. She just signaled with her neck to follow her, then she walked through the black door. David followed behind with slow steps.
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