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.