Healer of Pain Chp. 15

Chapter Fifteen

Evacuate 

 CA L E B swung his bag over his shoulder and went inside. He sighed and wiped his forehead. “Matthew’s going to blow everything up. And just for the money.” He sighed again. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do! I’ve been a missionary, Erin’s healed them, we’ve helped them best we could. Am I really supposed to force them away?”

“What?” Avery stood in the doorway.

Caleb sat down.

Avery joined him. “Tell me, Caleb. What is it?”

Caleb felt tears to his eyes. “It’s—it’s Matthew. He’s being payed to collect certain animals and bring them across seas to this lab. He wants to win back his money. And—and he says I have to get everyone out, or…or he’ll blow this up.”

“You’re serious, lad?”

“Yes. But I don’t know what to do. I have to talk to him, I have to try to change him. It wasn’t just a coincidence that we both arrived here in Peru on the same day. This is my purpose. I’m sure.”

Avery looked at Caleb for a moment. Then he smiled gently. “I’m so proud of you.”

Caleb looked up. “Why? You have no reason to be.”

“I have a million reasons, boy.” 

Andrew inhaled a deep breath. 

Theodore didn’t even know he was there. His back was turned.

That’s what I deserve, anyway. He has the right to never speak to me again.

“Theodore.”

Theodore turned around. “Yes?”

Andrew shuffled his feet.

“You don’t have to be nervous, Andrew.”

“How did you know?”

Theodore chuckled. “The shuffling sounds awful. And looks awful too.”

Andrew approached him slowly. “Theo…I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am. I was angry. I didn’t mean any of it. I promise.” Andrew looked down. A slight tear was welling up in his eyes. He sniffled and went on. “I feel horrible. You and Caleb are my two best friends in all the world. I’ve grown so close to you. I feel I could tell you anything.”

Theodore walked forward, closer to him. “Ar—are you crying?”

Andrew hesitated. “I hate crying in front of other people. In fact…I haven’t cried for years.”

“Years?”

“Yeah.”

Theodore smiled and hugged him. “I forgive you. It’s okay.” 

“Where’s he going?” Marion looked out the window and saw Caleb walking away into the foggy distance.

“He’s going to pray, most likely. God has given him a burden that he must bear and take care of. And he needs God’s instructions.” Avery sipped a cup of tea.

Erin came inside. “I just helped with a broken leg. But they still seem to call Caleb the Healer of Pain. I wonder why…”

“That is his fate. God decides, maybe he’ll stay in Peru.”

“Why would he do that?” Marion wondered.

Avery became suddenly serious. “Marion. God gave me a vision yesterday night.” His eyes were teared up. He stood by the window and hesitated to talk. “Caleb is going to be a martyr.”

Erin and Marion gasped. The room was silent for a few moments. No one knew what to say. 

Marion’s breath grew shakily scared. “You don’t mean…”

“If it is God’s will…then yes.”

Marion gasped silently. “No. It can’t be true. He isn’t going to die…”

“Marion. Everyone is chosen for a special purpose. You, I, Erin, the boys—I believe Matthew is Caleb’s purpose. And if that means he has to go…then so be it.”

Erin looked away. She put her hand on Marion’s shoulder. “It’s okay.” She whispered soothingly. “It’s okay. It’ll be alright.” Erin tried to hide her tears, but they ran loosely.

Avery looked up. “Do what You must, God. We are but Your servants. Do what You must.”

The night sky dimmed everyone’s joy. The fires were lit. Caleb sat by the campfire. He looked into the deep embers and flames.

“It’s going to work out.” Said a voice. Erin’s blue eyes sparkled.

For the first time, Caleb realized her loving nature and sincerity. 

“I know it is. God will help. Just as He’s always before.”

“You bet.” Theodore now sat on the other side of Caleb.

Caleb smiled. “Nice having my two best friends right beside me.”

“You mean three.” Andrew chuckled. 

“Make that four.” Marion grinned.

Caleb took it all in. He knew that whatever happened, his friends would be there for him. It was the unbreakable chain. Each link depended and needed each other. For just this brief few moments, everything seemed perfect. No troubles, no worries—just peace. Peace, love, and friendship.

Avery suddenly appeared there in the firelight. He looked solemn. As if he knew that someone would leave them that night. “When should we evacuate?”

The question startled Caleb. He had gotten used to the peace—only for a moment.

“I guess…now.”

The answer startled the people.

Avery gulped. “I’ll tell them.” He went out farther and stood on a chair and his gaze fell to Akin who appeared. His presence scared him. 

“People, mothers, fathers, children—I have loved this area of the Amazon. I am grieved to have to tell you that we must leave. We must, rather quickly. If we don’t, we will be killed. A certain man has taken charge and we go. We must be strong and have faith.” Avery prayed. “…Till my death, I will stand by You. We are soldiers. We must put on the Lord’s Armor.” He spoke in a different language, and the village people obeyed. 

“They have changed.” Caleb whispered. His heart beat faster. ‘Twelve Tuesday night you have to be out.’ Those words haunted him. 

Caleb breathed shakily. He looked at his watch. “Oh no. It’s ten. Matthew’s close.” He told the others and they began preparing.

Caleb went to pack his bag when suddenly—he paused. He heard a voice. A light. Caleb dropped his bag and followed it. It was soft and warm. 

“Avery?” It became silent.

Caleb…Caleb…listen.

Caleb gasped. “I’m here.”

A light shone in his face.

Then it was dark.

Marion ran in. Caleb was fainted on the floor. She ran to his side and shoved him back and forth. “Wake up! Caleb, what’s happened?”

Caleb groggily looked at her. His eyes shone brighter than ever before.

“What happened to you?”

He wiped away a tear. “I need to talk to Avery.”

Marion sat him up. “I’ll get him.” She soon returned with the old man. 

Avery helped him up and onto a bed. “Caleb. I believe I know what God has told you.”

“Then you know what you must do. Take the girls, tell them I love them. Tell Andrew goodbye. And Theodore—he’ll understand. Tell him I love him.”

“You can tell them yourself. Matthew is not yet here. You must change his heart.”

“I know.” Caleb suddenly had tears streaming down his face. “I’m scared.”

Avery’s wrinkled face turned softened and he cried with him. “You—are the most bravest man I have ever met.”

Caleb hugged him. “Erin—she might not understand. But there’s no other way. I have to stay here. Get the jet, get as far away as possible. I just want her to be safe. I…love her.”

Avery smiled and felt Caleb’s forehead gently. “Us four figured that out rather quickly. You have some time. Tell her yourself.”

Erin walked in just then. 

Avery shrugged. “Must be destiny.” He chuckled, leaving.

Erin sat down beside the bed. “You had a fever. But it’s broke.”

Caleb nodded. “I had more than just a fever. I had a vision. A dream.”

Erin looked concerned. “Tell me. What happened?”

Caleb wiped away a loose tear. “I’m going to die, Erin. I’m staying.”

“You’re what?” Erin’s smile turned into a frown. “That’s—that’s crazy. You don’t mean that. You—you have a purpose, you’re going to be a missionary, you said so.”

“I was.” Caleb smiled. “My purpose is Matthew. He’ll change. I’ll stay here.”

“No.”

“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. It’s not okay. Caleb…I love you. I need you. You can’t go.”

“I have no choice.” He reached his hand and moved a loose strand of hair from her face. “My beautiful Erin. You would’ve been my wife, if things had worked out differently.”

“I can still be. Please don’t. Please stay with us.” Erin cried harder. 

Caleb wiped away her tear. “Don’t cry. Please. I want the last day with you to be happy.”

“But—what do you think will happen? To us? To our lives? Caleb, we need you. We all do.”

Caleb sat up and scratched his head. “Well…I reckon Andrew all go off to be an explorer like he’s always wanted to. And I’m guessing Theo and Marion…” He chuckled. “We’ll let them handle themselves for awhile.”

Erin looked down at her dirty worn hands. “I know I’ll find you again. And after this whole explosion—I’ll come back, I promise.”“Erin. If God wanted me to live, He wouldn’t have told me otherwise. Don’t come back. You’ll just bring upon yourself tears.”

“But I will. I’ll come back. I’ll be back to get you.” She buried herself in her arms and cried.

Healer of Pain Chp. 14

Chapter Fourteen

Deadly Plan

 “GE T up.”

Caleb woke. There was a flashlight shining in his face.

He wants to kill me. I’m sure.

“What do you want?” Caleb asked, a bit of bitterness in his voice.

“Don’t play dumb with me. You know what I want.” Matthew unlocked the cage. Everyone was asleep. It was dark and quiet. Perfect for killing people secretly.

Caleb stood up. “Matthew. You know whatever it is you want, I can’t give you. You need God, not me. Just like my uncle. It’s too late for him, but it’s not too late for you. Please. Once you’re gone—you’re gone. There’s no coming back.”

Matthew stared with piercing eyes. “What has God ever done for me?”

“He gave you a life. A mind to think, a heart to love, and a soul to give back to Him.”

Matthew seemed to understand. But only for a moment. “Follow me. Don’t wake the others.”

Caleb followed him down a ladder into the cellar. It was very big and empty. There were guns there.

“Take a seat.” Matthew motioned his hand toward a chair.

Caleb obeyed.

Matthew stood and eyed him coldly. 

Caleb waited patiently for him to begin. 

“I knew your uncle.”

Caleb nodded. “You had to. How could you have known such hidden things?”

Matthew straightened. “I’ll be clear to you and get right to the point. I used to work with your uncle secretly. It was a club of some sort. Me, Andrew’s father, and others. It was a ranch business.”

Caleb gasped. His uncle’s ranch.

“We’d bet on certain racing horses, and then win thousands when the others would fail.”

“How did you know?”

“We’d hire ones who would make the horses extra tired. A medicine, I believe.”

“That’s cheating.”

“Aha, but in an excellent way. We sometimes would gamble thousands just for the fun of it to pass it around from each of us. There would always be another round. Everyone always had a second chance. Until that day…” He cleared his throat. “Someone, gone now, took the risk of gambling one million dollars.”

“You’re serious?”
“Dead serious. That someone lost it to your uncle.”

“What did he do with it?”

“He decided to start up a secret ranch company of his own. He moved to Florida and completely left us.”

Caleb wanted to smile but didn’t. 

Matthew continued. “We later found out that he had cheated us when he dealt. He plain cheated.”
“Just like you’ve been doing.”

“We lost a million dollars for no reason. We demanded he pay it back, since we later discovered he stole from all of us, not just that man. He refused to, though.”
“Then what?”

“We did the only thing we could do.”

Caleb gasped and stood up. “No. It can’t be true.”

“He tried to kill—”

“You murdered him!”

“He was a liar and a cheat. He deserved what he got. He was hiding for months, hiding at your own home! He could’ve killed you then, but he didn’t. Do you know why?”

“My uncle would never hurt me.”

“He killed all my partners. Andrew’s father, one of them.”

“He needed me.”

“Yes! He needed you! He needed a man to help him sell horses, bet on them, cheat, and then win millions! That’s what he needed you for!”

“That’s a lie!”

“No it isn’t! Think, Caleb, think!”

“Think what?”

“He was drunk, and told me so many things! He was going to hire me, until I fought back and tried to get back what was rightfully mine.”
“Why did you call me down?” Caleb was bitter.

“I need you to help me. I am now in a different business, a company with the Amazon.”

“What?”

“Yes. I need to get everyone out of the village.”
“Why? This is their homes, they’re not going to leave.”

“If they stay here the animals will stay away and slowly die.”
“That’s crazy!”

“I need the animals. I’m selling them. To a lab, they’re paying me richly.”

Caleb was astonished. “You’re what? Are you out of your mind? That’s not right.”

“I need the money. Akin is helping me also. I have men who are stubborn and will not change their conditions.”

“What conditions? What men?”

“They’re going to blow up the village.”

“What?” Caleb breathed heavily. “That’s insane.”

“They’re doing it next week. You have to get out. Once the village is destroyed, poachers will come out and get the animals. I will sell them to various places and finally get back that money.”

Caleb sighed. “How did you get yourself into such a mess? Poachers? Labs? This is ridiculous.”

“Will you help me?”

“I need to stop you.”

“Get the people out, or they die.”

There was a long silence. It looked to Caleb he had no choice. He got up from his chair and back to the cell. He needed to figure a plan.

The night dragged on and the cold winds pierced the floor and made them unbearable to walk upon. 

“Caleb, wake up.”

Caleb woke. He stared into the eyes of Theodore.

“Are you alright Theo?”

“I’m fine.” Theodore smiled faintly. 

“Hurry!” Matthew stood by the cell. “I haven’t got all day.”

Caleb glared at him. “Stay close to me Theodore. Matthew’s going to do something evil.”

“I know.” Theodore clung to Caleb’s sleeve. “I can sense it, hear it in his voice.”

The others were brought out to a jeep.

Matthew looked at Caleb warningly. “You know what to do.” He mouthed. “Twelve Tuesday night, you have to be out.”

They were down the road now. Everything was quiet.

Andrew finally spoke. “Why would he just let us go?”

“He has a plan, I’m sure.” Erin answered.

Caleb kept silent. If Andrew knew everything, about his father, about the plan, he might want to do something drastic. Something that could ruin his life.

“What now?” Theodore wondered, glancing from the window to where Caleb drove.

“We have to leave. Build the village elsewhere.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

Andrew got angry. “Because why?”

“I’m sure he has a reason for not telling, Andrew.” Erin told him.

“Oh, sure. But I’m positive he’ll go tell you and Theodore before anyone else.”

“That’s not true and you know it.” Caleb objected.

“Well, you seem to be pretty close with Theodore here. Closer than any of us—your friends.”

“He’s my cousin, of course I’m close with him.”

Theodore sighed. “Andrew’s mad at me.”

“You’re what?” Caleb looked back at Andrew through the rear view mirror.

Andrew crossed his arms. “You’re all babying him.”

“Andrew, please don’t. Not now, not here.” Erin scolded. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Of course it is!” Caleb exclaimed. “We come to rescue you, and this is our thank-you?”

“Some rescue.” Andrew muttered. “You were no more free than me and Theodore.”

Caleb sighed. “We tried our best. Now—you owe Theodore an apology.”

“I will not.”

“Andrew!”

“I will not! It’s his fault we got trapped in the first place!”

Theodore sat quiet. “I’m really sorry Andrew.”

“You better be. And you’d better learn, too.”

“Andrew, stop.”

“Oh, look! Andrew again! It’s always Andrew, isn’t it? It’s never Theodore, no, never him! It’s impossible for him to ever get the blame. Why do you baby him? It’s because he’s different, isn’t it? Well, he needs to learn to fend for himself sometime!”

“Andrew stop!” Caleb yelled.

Theodore looked to the floor. 

Caleb pulled in and Avery ran out and greeted them happily.

Theodore went outside by himself and Caleb followed him.

“Don’t listen to him. Everyone knows he has anger issues. He’s always—well, he hasn’t always, but he was just angry. He’ll get over it.”

“Maybe he will. But I won’t. I will never get over the accident, I will always remind myself everyday that if I could’ve just held tighter, I would be just like everyone else too. I’ll never get over it. I’ll never forgive myself. Because every morning when I get up and don’t see the sun through my window, I’ll be reminded. And every night when I go to sleep and I don’t see the stars above me, I’ll be reminded. And everyday when I look into the face of my cousin and I can’t even see his eyes before me, I’ll be reminded.” He inhaled a deep breath and let it out. He was speechless.

Caleb was too.

 Theodore had tears well up in his eyes and he left.

Caleb didn’t know what to do. “God, you sent me here. Show me what to do next.”

Healer of Pain Chp. 13

Chapter Thirteen 

Fear's Enemy

CA L E B paced around the room. “Where could they possibly be?” He asked aloud.

Erin and Marion sat quietly.

Avery joined them. “We need to pray. God will surely hear us if we pray together.”

Caleb knew he was right. 

The four kneeled down on the floor and placed each arm on each shoulder.

“God Almighty, we pray that you protect our loved ones, cherished friends, and close brothers. Wherever they may be, we pray that they are in safety…” Avery continued the prayer and then ended.

He noticed the distressed expression on Caleb’s face.

“We will not fear for that is what the devil wants from us. Fear and doubt. We will have faith and we will trust Him. That is fear’s enemy. Faith and Trust.”

Caleb nodded. “I know. It’s just that I can’t help but worry. What if they got separated? What if they crashed and they’re calling out for help? What if they got lost? What if—” Caleb silenced himself.

Marion left the room in tears.

Caleb sighed. 

“You shouldn’t worry her so.” Avery commented.

Caleb spoke once more before he left the room. “I know.” 

Meanwhile, deep in the jungle…

“I need to leave. I have family waiting for me.” A skinny frail man pleaded.

Matthew scoffed. “Then go. And rid us of your presence.”

The man scuttled away.

Theodore reached out his hand and felt the ground. He made his way to Andrew who sat in a corner.

“Andrew, what is Matthew doing?”

Andrew turned his back toward Theodore.

Theodore sighed. “I’m sorry Andrew. I really am. I thought that maybe something really bad was happening. That’s why I called your name. I just…I just got scared.”

Andrew looked at him. “You know Theo, sometimes sorry doesn’t help. Who knows how long it will be for Caleb and the others to find us? Hm? Really long.”

“I’m sorry. And I know I shouldn’t have come. But—I don’t always want to sit on the sidelines and let you all do the work. I thought that if I helped you…”

“What? Marion will like you?”

“N—no. I just want to be a part in something. My father shielded me from the world for years, Andrew. You couldn’t possibly know how that feels. My father was so cruel…” Theodore looked down.

“You know, Theodore, you’re not the only one who lost a father. My father was always cruel and drunk, and he abused me and my mother until she ran off. I haven’t seen her for twelve years. Twelve whole years! And then one day—I found my father dead in the garage holding a gun. And I’ve been on my own ever since. How do you think that feels? And then to have my one enemy shout it out to everyone in this room, my deepest darkest secret?”

Theodore was silent. “I just want to help. That’s all.”

“Well, you can’t always help. Just face it. Until you somehow miraculously regain your sight, then just stay out of the way!”

Theodore didn’t say anything. He went to the opposite side of the cage and kept his tears to himself.  

Caleb looked at his watch.

Avery gave a final sigh. “We have to start a search. They’ve been gone since last morning.”

Caleb reached for his satchel. “Who’s coming with me?”

“I will.” The two girls stood up.

Caleb looked at Avery. 

Avery looked at the girls. “Marion. I think you should stay here with me. It’s for the best. You and I are both very slim. And if something dangerous happens where Caleb has to phone for help, someone must be here.”

Marion understood.

Caleb was shocked. But also content with the situation. “Come on Erin, let’s go.”

Marion giggled.

Avery shrugged.

Erin got up and prepared a bag.

Avery prayed over them. “Go in peace.” He whispered. 

Caleb and Erin started the jeep and zoomed down the roads.

Caleb stopped suddenly. 

“What is it?” Erin took out her flashlight.

Caleb gasped. “It’s a jeep.”

“Theirs?”

“Only one way to find out.” Caleb jumped out, Erin right behind him. It was dark and they heard noises in the jungle. 

Caleb found Theodore’s satchel. “It’s definitely theirs.”

Erin sighed and leaned against his shoulder. “Oh Lord, no. No.”

Caleb straightened up. “They might be okay… somewhere.”

“Somewhere? Caleb, we’re in the Amazon! There’s giant snakes, there’s jaguars, poisonous amphibians—” 

“Erin! You don’t have to tell me. I know. But we’re not giving up. Now let’s try to find their footprints. The jeep is buried in the ditch, there’s no way to see in. If they’re dead, then we’ll die trying. But we will never, ever give up. We will never stop looking, even if it means killing ourselves in the process. Ok?” 

Erin looked down and nodded. “I know, I—I just got scared.”

“It’s okay to be scared.”

“I know that.” Erin walked a few steps ahead and shivered. “It was a night quite like this one, when we found my dad and sister dead in their car. Someone had smashed into them on the road. That was three years ago.”

Caleb understood how she felt. He stood by her. “I lost my dad three years ago too. And only recently I lost my uncle and my mom. Theodore’s having a hard time right now. And I’ll never forget the day I told him the news.” Caleb realized he had been in Peru for almost a year.

“Oh, Caleb I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Caleb gave her a faint smile and they moved on.

It grew quiet. They had been walking, calling their names, for hours now. Then suddenly they stopped.

“Do you hear that?” Caleb put a hand behind his ear. “It’s them! I can hear them!” They began to run and then-

“Ahh!”

“Ouch!”

“Get your foot off my face!”

Caleb looked through the small spaces through the ropes. He sighed frustratedly. “How could I be so blind? It’s a trap, of course it’s a trap!” 

Erin pushed his boot off her shoulder. “It’s okay, Caleb. We’ll get out of this. You got a knife?”

“Yeah.” Caleb reached for his dagger but someone ripped it from his grasp.

“I’ll take that.”

Erin gasped. “Matthew! Help us, cut the rope.”

Matthew shrugged. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Caleb looked away. He was humiliated. He should have known.

Matthew chuckled. It was amusing to see them stuck in a roped net hanging from a tree. It was his trap. And they walked right into it.

“Where’s Theodore? Where’s Andrew?” Erin sounded stern. 

“Right here.” Matthew grinned and pulled out a walkie talkie. “They dropped this when they were first coming out here. I thought someone like you Caleb, would be a little brighter than to just start running as soon as you hear a voice. But anyways, the past is definitely in the past.”

“What is your point in keeping us here?” Caleb demanded.

“You’ll know soon enough.” Matthew left into the darkness and ordered someone to lock them up with the others.

“Hey, back off!” Erin said as a man pushed them into a cell.

She shuddered. She saw a figure in the dark. “Andrew? Is that you?”

He came forward. “It’s about time.” He laughed and they hugged and sighed contently. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Caleb shrugged. “We came to rescue you, we failed. Typical me.”

“Stop it.” Andrew frowned. “We’ll get out of this. We always do.”

“It’s not everyday you get locked in a cell in the middle of the Amazon.”

“He has a point.” Erin had to agree.

Caleb took a seat. “Where’s Theodore?”

“He’s asleep. He…he’s had an extremely rough time. Us both.” He crawled forward and whispered, “Matthew knows everything. All of our deepest secrets. He says—he says you told him I didn’t have a father.”

Caleb gasped. “What? That’s absurd, I’d never tell him such a thing.”

“That’s what I said. But we’ll see what other truths he unfolds.”

Across the Sea Chp. 6

6

R E G A I N E D   

Colin looked over the edge of the ship. Ronan joined him. 

“Colin. I’ll heal your legs. But when we get to Spain, you can’t run off.”

Colin sighed. “Just do it. And don’t make me hurt you more than you can bear.”

“You may have gained muscle during your work as a slave, but know this—if you lay even one finger on me…I’ll have my men throw you overboard.”

“Why not throw me overboard yourself?” 

Ronan was shocked at his brave choice of words. He ignored him and stalked away.

Fiona joined Colin. “He’s just trying to help.”

Colin scoffed. “Why do you take kindly toward him? He took you way from home, love, memories! Why do you act as if he’s done nothing wrong?”

“Because I am a Christian.”

Colin rolled his eyes. “Why do you serve a god who’s ruined your life? If it wasn’t for Him, we’d all be home with Papa and Mama. Not here—stuck with a bunch of heathens. But don’t worry…once we get to Spain, we’ll escape.”

Fiona sighed. “Colin…there was once a time when you loved God too. You’ve just forgotten the feeling, but it’s buried deep inside you. And Colin…when we get to the town…I’m not leaving.”

Fiona’s words dumbfounded him. “What? All this time, you’ve just wanted to stay here? With that—that—”

“Colin, stop. We’re not going to Spain for fun. He needs to trade some things and—”

Colin’s eyes teared up. “You want to stay here? You don’t want to run? You’re picking him over me?”

Fiona looked away. “I wish I could tell you. But I can’t. Just go to Ronan and ask him to help you.”

“Never.”

“If you don’t…then I will never speak to you again. This is important. I’m not fooling you lad. Go now.”

Colin felt his way to the cabin. He knocked on the door.

Ronan told him to come in.

“Just fix me and be done with it.” He mumbled.

Ronan nodded. “Lay on the bed.”

Colin obeyed.

Ronan took out a special ailment in a bottle. He poured some grinder plant and oils and stirred them in his hands. He then carefully placed them on Colin’s legs.

Colin screamed. “What did you do? You’re making it worse!”

“Silence. I know more of this than you. In the morning your legs should be ready to begin healing.”

“Should?”

Ronan helped him up. “Go.”

The day passed slowly. As the sun was rising on the next day, Colin’s legs were healing better and better.

Fiona wished he would thank Ronan. But Colin refused. “I shall always hate Ronan, no matter what he does or how much you may try to convince me. He will be my lifelong enemy.”

Chp. 12 Healer of Pain

Chapter Twelve

Search 

Marion and Theodore 

returned to the camp.

“Where were you?” Caleb rushed over to Theodore, hugging him. 

Theodore grinned and shrugged. “Around.”

Caleb sighed with relief. “You’re soaked. What did you do, climb a waterfall?” Caleb laughed and brought him over to the fire.

Avery smiled when he saw them. “Theodore. I have decided to send you and Andrew on a search mission.” Once again, everything grew quiet.

Theodore inhaled a deep breath calmly. “Did I hear you wrong? Please tell me I heard you wrong.” He tried to remain calm. He didn’t want to be embarrassed again. Especially if Matthew were to come back.

Andrew crossed his arms. “Matthew doesn’t deserve our help.”

Caleb elbowed him. “The boys would be happy to help.”

Andrew sighed with frustration. “I—I don’t understand. Why send us, the two who are absolutely hated by Matthew?”

Theodore stood by Andrew. “Maybe we should wait for the morning. Perhaps he’ll come back.”

Andrew objected. “And if he doesn’t?” He turned to Avery. “Why send us two out of everything here?”

Avery sighed. “Listen. You two are men of God. You have traveled across the world to a strange, dangerous, foreign land. You are not here for me, for yourselves, or even for the people. You are here for God. If my son may be in some dangerous plot, than we must push our hatred and anger beside us. Forgive him, as God forgives you.”

Theodore shrugged. He turned to Andrew. “We don’t have much of a choice, Andrew.” 

“Not much at all, Theo. Let’s go.”  

The boys were readying the jeep and Caleb came to Avery. 

“Sir?”

“Yes Caleb?”

“Why did you do what you did? ”

“And what would that be?”

Caleb came closer. “Theodore—how could he help? He gets pushed around by Matthew all the time. And Andrew! Andrew has had problems with Matthew since the day they met.”

Avery looked with understanding eyes. “Listen to me. Doing this may improve you friend’s bond with Matthias. I am trying to get him to let go of his anger.”

“What about Theodore? What if he just gets hurt?”

“Caleb. Theodore is not a skinny, little boy anymore. He is strong, healthy, and capable of many things. He may not have his sense of vision, but that does not stop him. I think this is going to get him out of his comfort zone. This is good.” Avery stared out into the great distance. “You know…sometimes, the smallest person brings the biggest change. Remember that.”

“But he’s blind!”

“So what? He is still a person, with thoughts, feelings, emotions!”

Caleb stopped still. Avery sounded like himself only a short while ago. Why am I putting him down so? He’s my cousin.

Caleb looked down shamefully. “I didn’t mean that. I’m just—I’m just worried. I mean…he’s the only family I have.”

“I understand.” Avery looked off into the distance. “But Matthias is the only family I have. And if something were to happen to him—I could not forgive myself. He is not ready for what lies beyond death, Caleb. He must come to truth before it is too late. And I think you, Andrew, and Theodore could do that.” Avery patted Caleb’s shoulder and left.

Caleb walked to the boys over by the jeep. “Be safe, ok?” He told them.

Andrew sighed. “I can’t believe this. I really, just cannot believe this! Out of everyone here, let’s send these ones!” 

Theodore climbed into the jeep. “I’m sorry Andrew. I don’t know why they picked me.”

“Now I’ll have to look out for you the whole time!”

 “I said I was sorry!” Theodore looked away.

Caleb glanced at Andrew.

Andrew hopped in next to Theodore. “I’m sorry, Theodore. You know I didn’t mean that. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault for anything.”

Caleb leaned on the frame of the car. “Bye Andrew. Bye Theodore. When should I expect you two?”

Andrew shrugged. “A year.” And with a wave, Andrew pulled out of the little space designated for the jeeps and was soon far down the road.

Caleb prayed for them silently. “Keep them safe. Please.” 

“You see anything?” Theodore asked.

Andrew squinted. “Nah. You?”

“Stop,” Theodore rolled his eyes playfully.

The sun began to set. They drove until the road faded. 

Andrew stopped the car.

“What is it?” Theodore wondered.

Andrew got out of the car. “The road has stopped.”

“What will we do?”

“The only thing we can do. Walk.”

“What?” Theodore suddenly became worried. “What if we lose our way? What if I lose my way?”

Andrew looked through his binoculars. “You’ll just have to stay close to me.”

“Andrew.” Theodore glared. 

Andrew grabbed his arm. “Just hold my hand. We’ll be alright.”

Theodore nodded. 

And into the jungle they went. 

“Andrew, if I remember correctly, when we left it was 5:30. It has to be around seven something now.”

“We can’t give up.”

“Is it dark?”

“Well, yes. But that’s not an excuse. You could manage in the dark, so I can as well.”

Theodore sighed. He felt useless right about now. “Andrew, can we just—”

“Turn back? No way. I am not a quitter.”

“I know, but—” 

“Shh!
“I was talking!”

“Shh…” Andrew ducked.

“What is it? What do you see?” Theodore whispered.

“I don’t see anything. I hear something.”

“What is it?”

“Be quiet and I’ll tell you.” Andrew cocked his head in the direction of the sound. “I hear distant voices.”

“Me too.”

Andrew peeked his head over the bush. He saw three figures. He squinted to see who they were. “I can’t see a thing.” He said quietly. Andrew crawled forward. 

Theodore grabbed his shirt. “Andrew, stop it! There’s people over there. Stay.”

“I have to see who it is,” Andrew tried to break free of his friend’s grasp.

“You’re gonna get yourself killed.”

“I have to try to get closer.”

“By yourself?”

Andrew sighed. “Look, Theodore. I don’t know why Avery chose you to come along. If I bring you, you will endanger us both. It’s best I go alone.”

“What if they capture you?” Theodore said worriedly. “How will I find you?”

Andrew shrugged. “I’ll find you. Just stay.” He got on all fours and snuck forward out of sight. He hid behind a tree. There he saw two men plus someone he thought was familiar. 

“Akin.” He gasped. He boldly went farther. He snapped a twig with his foot. “Oh no.”

Boom!

Andrew ducked.

“Andrew!” Theodore called his name.

Andrew stood still as a stone. Whoever those men were, they had seen him and definitely heard Theodore.

“Are you spying on me?” Came a voice suddenly behind him.

Andrew sighed.

Matthew grabbed Andrew’s shirt collar and Theodore’s and led them to a small building. He shoved them into a cage made from metal.

“Let me out, Matthew.” Andrew pushed against the bars. “You have no right to do this.”

“Really?” Matthew chewed on a piece of a leaf. “You invaded my land, therefore I can detain you for doing so.”

“Your land?” Andrew scoffed. “What land? You’re in the middle of the Amazon!” 

“Maybe so. But right now this part is mine. I have an extraordinary plan that will not only get me rich, but also a ticket out of here.”

“What?” Andrew glared. “What plan?”

Matthew grinned. “What makes you think I’d tell you? And just in case your friends get any idea of following you, I had my men drive your jeep into a ditch far from where you parked it.”

“So then what? You keep us trapped here forever?”

Matthew shrugged. “Don’t know, don’t care. I’ll figure out a way. I always do, don’t I?” 

Theodore sat quiet. 

Matthew took advantage of his silentness. “You must feel pretty bad for ruining this whole mission, don’t you? You know, maybe if you hadn’t screamed like a baby, I wouldn’t have found you. But that’s just a maybe. My men saw you anyway.”

“Your men? What is that supposed to mean? They bow down and serve you like a king?” Andrew questioned.

“I don’t mean that. And I’m not the one who lives under a king, remember? You once said you had a King. Didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did. And I still do now.”

Matthew laughed. “You sound so ridiculous like that! I mean, come on. What king? You really believe there’s just some king sitting up in heaven who actually cares for you? Look at you! You’re nothing! You’re both nothing. What could you possibly have, that would please a king? You’re nothing but a poor orphan who pretends he has a father.”

Andrew became silent. “Who told you that?”

“Who wouldn’t? Caleb, of course.”

“I don’t believe you. Caleb promised to never tell. He’s a true and faithful friend.”

Matthew grinned. “We’ll see about that. And look at you, Theodore. Your own father didn’t want you. Why would a king want you?”

“You lie. My father said he loved me. Those were his last words!”

“You really think he said that? You don’t suppose maybe Caleb completely made that up to comfort you? Think about it, it doesn’t make any sense. He says you’re useless, then he up and dies, and then you’re told his last words were ‘I love you’? Seriously? Who wants a child who can’t even see his own hand in front of his face?”

Theodore’s eyes watered. “It was an accident. It wasn’t my fault.”

“They all say that. But in the end, the truth always runs clear. I’ll be sure of that.”

“How could it have been my fault?”Theodore cried. “I was just a child! The horse tripped!”

“Why would he even buy you a horse in the first place?”

Theodore didn’t understand how Matthew could possibly know all this.

“Didn’t you tell your father you loved horses more than anything? Didn’t you say, if you had your own horse you promised that you would someday own a ranch of your own? But did that ever happen? No. Here you are, almost twenty and you still haven’t even got a job. Some promise.”

Matthew stalked away into the darkness.

Andrew and Theodore were trapped in the middle of the jungle with their jeep crashed far away and no way to call for help. What would Matthew do? He wouldn’t kill them…or would he?