Across the Sea Chp. 12

12

B R O K E N   H E A R T

Fiona approached him. “Colin. This is important.”

“Important, huh? Does it concern your new best friend?”

Fiona sighed. “Colin—”

“Just stop! I get it. You accept our lives as slaves. You—”

“Colin, you’re free! Ok?” Fiona cried. “Just leave. Take the boat and go.” She looked to the floor.

Colin felt betrayed. “What about you? I don’t understand. All this time, the plan was to escape once we get to Spain.”

“I know. But…” Fiona looked at Ronan. “I’m staying.”

“You’re what?”

“I’m staying. Ronan needs me. And I need him.”

Ronan joined her. “Just tell him.” He whispered.

Colin just waited for the bad news to begin.

“I love him.” Fiona confessed.

“But...” Colin cried. “He took everything from us. Everything!”

“I’m sorry. But you’re free to go. Take the boat.”

Colin’s mouth was frozen. He couldn’t speak. Trying to fathom the words he just heard, he left silently and got in the boat and cut the rope. 

Splash! The boat hit the water and he began paddling. He was leaving. His own twin chose to stay with her captor, rather than escape with him.

Colin rowed the little boat out on the tall waves. As the waves grew taller the little boat almost began fill up. But Colin kept pushing water out and cupping it with his hands.

He wiped sweat from his forehead. Was he about to have a shipwreck?

Fiona sobbed. “I feel terrible. I can’t just leave him.”

“It was his choice.”

“But it’s true.”

“What is?”

Fiona gazed into his eyes. “You did take everything away from us. If it wasn’t for you, we’d all be sitting around the table and—” Fiona hugged him close. “Oh, what am I saying.”

Ronan looked down at her.

“Marry me. Fiona, please.”

“You don’t think it’s too early?”

“I don’t know what to think. All I know is that I love you.”

Healer of Pain- Chp. 20

 Chapter 20-Farewell to a Friend 

Caleb grasped Erin’s hand and together they made their way to Theodore. But something different caught Caleb’s eye. 

Caleb spotted Akin. 

“No.” He whispered.

He held a spear.

Caleb held Erin’s hand tighter. “Theo, stay here. Erin, look.” He cocked his head towards Akin.

“What do you think he’s planning to do?”

“I don’t know for sure. Maybe kill Matthew. It’s dangerous. If you come, you’re putting your life at risk.”

“No life’s a life without you.”

“What is it?” Theodore asked.

“Nothing. Just stay here.”

“Caleb, what is it?”

“We’ll just be right back.” Caleb patted Theodore’s shoulder and left with Erin.

Theodore talked with people and kept the revival going. But then suddenly he felt a light pulling on his shirt.

“Help me.” The small boy voice said.

Theodore smiled gently. “What’s wrong?”

“You preacher…right?”

Theodore didn’t know what to think. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Me baba. He wants a preacher, someone to pray for him. He’s dying.”

Theodore decided he was best he go anyway. “I’m not a preacher…but I will gladly pray for your father.” Theodore stood up and grasped the child’s hand. “Can you take me there?” 

“Matthew!” Caleb hollered. He had saved Matthew’s life before, and today he would do it again.

Matthew heard the faint calling. He turned around but couldn’t see Caleb or Erin. When he shrugged and prodded on, Akin was before him. Matthew slowly backed up. “It’s good to see a friend again. Even if that friend betrayed you and almost exploded you. Maybe we can make arrangements.”

Akin snarled and muttered something in his language.

“I kill you. I kill you all.” He managed to say.

Matthew looked behind him. He had room to run.

“I kill you.” Akin repeated.

Matthew gave a slight grin. “How about…no?” He dashed off through the city.

Akin dashed after him, spear in hand.

Caleb saw both of them running. “Somebody help them! He’s trying to murder him!”

Mesa walked up to him. “Me own wife doesn’t even understand English. If you want your brother alive, you’d best save him yourself.”

Erin lifted an eyebrow. “Brothers?”

Caleb’s face turned red. He looked to see where they were. “It’s up to us to save them. Let’s go.”  

Theodore knelt by the dying man and prayed for him. 

“Dear God, I pray that You will shed Your magnificent grace upon this man in healing him and making him well again. Do whatever is Your will…”

The man groaned.

Theodore rested his hand on his. “Keep up the fight. I’m fighting for you. Fight for yourself too.”
“I—I can’t!” The man wheezed and gasped. He began labored breaths.

“Baba!” The boy cried.

“Little boy, I need you to go play for awhile, ok?”

“I want Baba.”

“I need you to do this for me.”

The child fled.

“Please. Give this man more time on earth. Let him be healed so that he can do the righteous work of You.”

The man gave a stronger gasp and then suddenly sat up.

Theodore thought maybe he had died.

But the man reached out and grabbed his hands. “I—I—I s—saw Him!”

“What?”

“I s—saw the li—light! And then…and then He touched me. And I woke up.”

Theodore laughed. “You’re healed!”

“I’m healed! Oh, I’m healed.” The man jumped up and called his son’s name.

“Mika! Mika!’

The little boy leapt into his arms.

Theodore never felt happier. 

 Matthew ran faster and faster. He needed someplace to hide. He decided to go to the heart of the city, where the streets were thinner, the houses more close together, and the people, aplenty. He spotted Theodore. If I can just run by him, I could lose Akin. He’d be too busy realizing he caught the wrong person, while I’d be miles down the road…

Theodore smiled. He hoped that man would live a long and healthy life.

“Caught you.” 

Theodore wirled around. “Marion?”

Marion ran and dashed into his arms. “Marion, what are you doing here?”

 Then, all in a minute, Akin ran past Theodore, nearly knocking him over, and Akin not realizing he had the wrong person, pushed Theodore to the ground and without a word, plunged his spear into his side.

Theodore gasped and blood spilled out his mouth and side.

Marion gasped. “Theodore!” She fell to her knees by his side. 

Caleb caught up with Akin and stopped in his tracks. He saw Theodore on the ground, people in a circle surrounding him.

“NO!” He screamed. 

Akin was suddenly taken away from men and into a watched-house.

The clouds turned into black puffs and rain began to pour. The lighting lit up the dark sky and the thunder was louder than ever.

Caleb rushed to Theodore’s side, and held him in his arms, sitting on the ground. He let his head rest on a grain sack.“You’re okay. We’re going to get you better.” Caleb’s tears poured out like a waterfall.

Theodore could hardly breathe now, and the blood spilled out more.

Erin ran and got a cloth and wrapped it around him, trying to stop the bleeding.

Theodore’s eyes rolled back.
“No! Theodore, stop it! You’re okay!” Caleb had never cried more in his life. Caleb felt waves of guilt wash over him. If he would’ve just taken Theodore with him, he would have been fine.

“What were you doing over here? You were supposed to stay!” Caleb held Theodore’s hands.

“I need—need to pa—pray.” Theodore screamed with pain. The blood poured out and the cloth turned a scarlet red. The same red Caleb had seen when Uncle Lawrence had passed

Marion put cloths on his forehead. She gave him something to bite down on. “Erin’s going to make you better. It’s okay.”

Theodore winced. “You—you shouldn’t have come. It c—it could’ve been you.”

“But it wasn’t.” Marion cried. “I’d travel the world any day, for you.”

Caleb was on the other side and he held Theodore’s hand.

“It’s—It’s…okay…Caleb.” Theodore groaned in agony. “I’ll see you…for real…one day…when you get there too.”

“You’re going to be fine.” Caleb cried and his tears spilled onto Theodore’s face.

“Tell Akin…I…” Theodore winced. “Tell him…I forgive him. Tell…tell Ma—Matthew that too.” With a final  inhale, Theodore let it out and died. 

Marion gasped silently, 

The world grew silent. The rain drenched Caleb and the icy water ran down his back and up and down his spine.

Caleb’s mouthed quivered. “T—Theo—Theodore—wa—wake up! Wake up!!” He pushed him back and forth. But it was no use. 

Marion held his head up with her hand. “Theodore, wake up! Please! Wake up.” She buried her face in her hands and cried.

Caleb stood up on shaky knees and pushed through the mob and into the jungle.

Matthew stood from a distance and saw Theodore die.

“It’s my fault. It’s all my fault.”

Caleb ran and ran, not aware of where he was going. He ran to a cleared out space where the rain hit the hardest. The mud sloshed in his shoes and he fell on his knees. He cried so hard, it hurt.

“WHY?” He screamed. “He couldn’t do anything! It wasn’t his fault!” Caleb’s hands went to his face. “He-he couldn’t defend himself! You should’ve taken me instead! Why? Why?” Caleb fell to the mud and sobbed.

Across the Sea Chp. 11

11

S U D D E N   F E E L I N G S

Fiona gave Ronan some food and tried to warm him by giving him blankets and some hot bread.

“Don’t dwell on what happened. It’s in the past now.”

Ronan angry glare distressed Fiona. “Your brother tried to kill me.” He looked as if he wanted revenge. And revenge, he did want.

“What will you have me do?” Fiona pleaded. “I’ve tried to change him—but it’s no use. I could never tell him…” A single tears rolled down her face.

Ronan got up and handed her a handkerchief. “What is it? Tell me.”

Fiona closed her eyes and breathed heavily. “Ronan, I—I don't want to leave you.” She looked into his eyes shamefully. “He’d kill you if he found out.” 

Ronan was silent and he smiled. “I understand. The words that linger on my tongue are too risky to say out loud, Fiona. But…our love must be a secret.” He smiled and opened his locket, something Fiona had never seen. “My father and mama always wanted me to marry an Irish lass.”

Fiona couldn’t believe her ears. Ronan was talking in a strong Irish accent this moment. “You’re Irish.”

“Yes.”

“But why? You’ve captured all these innocent families. Families of your own kind.”

“I know. My…family trusted a man. A man who took us under his wing for years. And then—he set the house on fire. I lost everything. And so I’ve hated the Irish ever since. I pretend I am Arab, but—” he wiped off the brownness on his face. His face was quite pale like Fiona’s. “This is my secret. If you ever told…I could never trust you. Pretending to be something I’m not is a crime. I could be hung.”

Fiona’s eyes swelled up with tears. “I would never.” She wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

“Fiona.” Ronan became serious. “Will you—”

“Captain, we’ve approached Spain at last!” Bartley’s craggily voice interrupted.

Ronan went out the door. “Spain! Home! Finally.” He steered the wheel in the right direction. He took Fiona’s hand. “Fiona. I hope you’ll be happy here.”

“Ronan, I’d be happy. But Colin—” She looked at her miserable brother. “Let him go. Please.”

Ronan sighed. “He’d come back and kill me if he found out.”

“I’ll talk to him.” Fiona walked across the deck to Colin.

“Colin…I need to talk to you.”

Healer of Pain Chp. 19

Chapter Nineteen 

The Revival

Caleb woke up. He was on the concrete floor. Matthew laid on the bed snoring.

Caleb stood up and stretched. The morning sun slid through the open windows. 

“Let’s find breakfast.” He said to himself. He tiptoed out the door and into the busy streets. He breathed in the air and sighed contently. 

Suddenly Caleb looked down to see a small girl tugging on his shirt.

“Krpaya! Krpaya!” She cried.

She was the same little girl he had met monthes ago. 

“Healer of Pain.” She spoke. “Krpaya.”

Caleb smiled and bent down on his knees. “I’ll do the best I can. Can you take me to your family?”

The girl smiled and grabbing Caleb’s hand, started a fast run down the streets. 

Marion jumped off the plane. A man stared. “More?”

“More what?” Marion thought of an idea. “Sir, did you happen to see two white people come around here? One was a nurse with blonde hair.”

The man paced. “As a matter of fact, I did. And I’ll tell you where they went, for a quarter.”

Marion sighed. “Sure.” She dropped the coin in the man’s hand.

“They went that way to the Brazilian City.”

Marion’s face lit up. “Thank you so much. Come on, Andrew!” 

Erin walked down the Brazilian streets. People shouted at her, asking for money or wanting her to buy their products. 

“Excuse me!” She yelled. Erin nearly fell over a short little man who happened to be the same man Caleb met.

“I have rooms!” He screamed.

“How much?” Erin looked down to him.

The man grinned. “I have never been asked how much…how much do you have?”

“Um…” Erin opened her handbag and took out forty dollars. “I have this.”

“Not anymore, you don’t!” A little boy snatched it from her grasp and ran through the crowds.

“Hey, get back!” Erin went after him. 

“Wait!” Theodore waved his hands, trying to get her attention. When it was no use, he sat on a bench and sighed. 

“Great. Who knows when she’ll be back?” 

Erin ran through the streets. “Wait! I need that to get home!” She made some sort of noise she didn’t know existed. Kind of like a, “Arghh!” She was flaming mad. When she turned around, the little man was there.

“I don’t have the money. I can’t pay you.”

“Ahh, that okay. It’s free.” The man tugged on her hand.

“Wait, I need to get Theo—”

The man quickened his pace and led her through the crowds.

“We have to hurry before sundown.”

“What’s sundown?”

“That’s when robbers come, bad things, they are. It’s best to stay inside. That sleepyhead better have left by now.”

It just so happened to be, at the exact second Erin walked in, Matthew walked out. And neither of them noticed each other. 

The man introduced himself. “I am Mesa. Now, come with me and I will show you your room. Pray it is clean. Yesterday I had two foreigners come in here. One left early, the other slept until passed noon.”

“Two foreigners?” Erin thought for a moment. “You didn’t happen to catch their names, did you?”

Mesa shrugged. “Nah. Not me. I would have forgotten them anyway.”

 

Theodore sat quietly. He listened to the sounds of the birds and the children playing. He remembered Caleb’s words, 

“Trust Him. Love Him. He’ll always be there. I have decided to follow Jesus. Will you?”

“I will.” Theodore whispered to himself. He stood up on a box and shouted, “I have decided to follow Jesus!”

People stopped and stared. Some just went on with their day.

“I do…because He saved me when I was desperate. He loved me when I felt unloved. He comforted me when I needed comforting. He came to me when the world seemed to walk away. So I say to you now, will you join me in following Him? Will you be a citizen of the faith and earn a spot in God’s house?”

Some people began talking amongst themselves.

Then suddenly a man walked out of the crowds. “I want to follow Him. The one you speak of.”

Theodore laughed joyously. “Knock and the door will be opened! Seek and you will find!” Theodore closed his eyes and recited, “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish but have everlasting life! Will you take it? Will you take His offer? Will you submit to Him and love Him, and trust Him, and give everything to Him? Will you follow Him? For the rest of your days?” Theodore recited more and more. He kept going and going, sharing wonderful things until it happened.

People began crying. 

Some fell on their knees.

Some nearly fainted.

Some laughed tears of joy.

“He picked me up, when I fell. He takes care of me daily. He loves me daily. I was lost before. I drowned myself in self-consciousness and self pity. But He helped me. And I feel freer than I’ve ever felt in all my life! "

Caleb heard the cries and laughs. He saw people on the ground. He even saw one shaking.

A man ran through town shouting, “Revival! It’s a revival!”

Caleb gasped. “What?” He pushed his way through the people and saw Theodore standing on the box.

“He’s—he’s preaching.” Caleb laughed out loud. “Theodore! Theodore!”

Theodore heard his voice. “Caleb?”

Caleb ran as fast as he could and dashed into him, nearly knocking him over. But they didn’t seem to care.

Theodore hugged him as tight as he ever did. “I—I thought you were dead!”

Caleb got a good look at him. “I thought I was too. Matt—Matthew saved me.”

“He what?”

“He’s here somewhere.” Caleb looked around. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?”

“Just stay here and keep preaching!”

Caleb ran through the streets.

Erin walked out from the house and stretched. “I forgot all about Theodore!”

As she walked she saw the back of someone’s head. A head that had dusty brown hair rather than black.

Erin shrugged.

Caleb turned around. He saw a lady’s head with blonde straight hair. “It couldn’t be…” Caleb’s gaze turned to Akin. He needed to follow him.

Erin looked over the crowds. She saw Akin fleeing somewhere. “I need to find out where he is going.”

Caleb ran one way, Erin the other.

They seemed to run for a while. The crowds grew larger and the revival stronger.

Erin ran and then stopped to catch her breath. “How will I ever find him?” She looked at a house with a thatched hay roof. She thought of an idea.

Erin climbed up on the house. She was very high and could see over everyone’s heads. She squinted. Is that…is that Akin? She stepped forward and the hay slipped.

Erin screamed and plummeted off the roof, nearly touching the ground, when someone caught her.

“Are you okay miss—” Caleb stopped.

Erin looked at him. 

“What are you doing here?” They both asked at the same time.

Erin laughed. “You first.”

Caleb laughed as well. “I don’t think it matters too much!” He hugged her and she cried tears of joy.

“I thought you—never mind what I thought. You’re here, alive, all in once piece!” Erin’s hands left him and she wiped her forehead. 

“Erin. Did you come all the way across the world…for me?”

Erin laughed. “I couldn’t just go home.”

“It was crazy.”

“Yeah, I know. But I’m cool like that.”

Caleb laughed happily. “Only you would say something like that.”

Erin laughed. “I couldn’t help myself.”

He grinned mischievously. “Does this mean we’re…”

“Engaged?” She finished the sentence.

Caleb quickly bent down. “Erin Micheals. Will you marry me?”

Erin took his hand and helped him back up. “You bet I will.”

Across the Sea Chp. 9

9

A  S L A V E—

                                    A   F R I E N D 

Fiona helped a slave get water and she often encouraged them. 

Both Colin and Ronan just didn’t see the point.

“Why does she do that?” Ronan whispered to Maddock, an old man.

“Maybe she thinks you’ll free her if she does something good.” Maddock made a face at her. “I think we should toss her overboard.”

Colin asked the same thing to a slave man who was in charge of scrubbing the floors now. His name was Sean.

“Why does she always help them?”

Sean sighed. “She’s a Christin, son. That’s what they do.”

Colin looked at Fiona and Fiona looked back. She knew what he was thinking. 

“But they’re just slaves, trying to hope that some god will rescue them.” He mouthed.

“They’re no just slaves, Colin. They’re us. They’re friends. And God will rescue them.” Fiona walked away.

The ship sailed on. Time passed. Fiona felt lonesome for home. But she also felt feelings. Feelings for Ronan. She felt God could change him. But she also felt that he needed her. Though he was her captor and Colin might hate him, Fiona wanted to be there for him. As time grew by, she began to enjoy his company more.

Here's just another chapter, since the first one was so short!

10

C O L I N ’ S   P R I D E

Colin grabbed hold of the rail and he ran his fingers down the little designs engraved upon it. He felt chilly and he sensed a storm.

“Batten down the hatches!” Bartley called.

He then felt Ronan’s hand upon his shoulder. He pushed it away. “What do you want?”

“Your sister wants me to free you. If you promise to never return to rescue her, then I shall treat her well.”

“Treat her how? You think being a slave is treating her well?”

Ronan whispered closely. “I’d make her my wife. We’d live a happy life together, rather than her living in a pen with the pigs.”

Without thinking, Colin grabbed Ronan’s jacket, threw a hard punch at him and pushed him overboard.

The wind began to howl and the sky grew very dark.

“What did you do, idiot?!” Came Ronan’s frightened voice.

The waves grew higher.

“He can’t swim! He can’t swim!” Screamed the crewmen. “We should toss you overboard and see how you like it!”

Fiona’s eyes filled with fear. She looked over the side of the boat. “Hang on, Ronan!”

Colin heard the worry in Fiona’s voice.

 Fiona searched the boat looking for a rope.
“Where’s the ropes?!” Her voice grew louder as the waves crashed and the thunder roared.

“What, are you crazy?! If you rescue him, you’ll never go home again!” Colin screamed. “You’ll be his slave for the rest of your life!”

“I don’t care!” Fiona ignored him.

Crash! Went the waves!

The slaves began to yell,Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted!”

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

“Shut up!” Yelled the crewmen.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they will be filled.” The slaves cried out, and a bigger man kicked one in the face. “I said, quiet!”

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.” The Irish kept on going.

Just then a bigger, stronger man pushed Colin off the ship.

“Colin, no!” Came Fiona’s cry.

Colin miraculously caught a short rope Fiona tossed down.

The strong man yelled to her, “He deserves to die! Let the rope go!”

Bartley screamed back at him, “If she lets go of the rope, there’s no hope for the captain! That heathen boy is Ronan’s only hope!”

Ronan choked on the water and tried to keep his arms and legs moving but he was failing. “Help!” 

Colin looked at him with such hatred.

Ronan slowly moved his way closer and closer to Colin. Now, he was right there, and it was up to Colin to rescue him.

“Grab his hand Colin! Do it!” Fiona called. “He’ll die without you! You’re his only hope!” Tears poured down her face. 

“Fiona, he captured you! He took you away from your home!” 

“Please!” Ronan looked so helpless, and about to enter a different world.

Colin looked away.

Fiona, barely knowing how to swim herself, ran with all her might and dived into the icy, monstrous storm. She grabbed Ronan’s hand, and a man grabbed her hand and lured them in. 

Bartley grabbed Colin’s shirt and threw him on the ground, so hard, Colin’s knees were bruised and bleeding.

Ronan threw up water and choked, breathing heavy and deep. He grabbed Fiona’s hand as she went to get a blanket.

“No. Stay.” He looked as if he were about to cry. “Thank you.”

Fiona met Colin’s gaze. He looked like a whole different person. “How could you?” She whispered. 

Colin looked away. He couldn’t bear his disappointed sister’s eyes.

Healer of Pain Chp. 18

 Chapter Eighteen

Brazilian City

Caleb pushed through the crowds. 

He saw Akin disappear. How would he find him again? 

Erin gave the man her ticket. She sighed deeply. She wondered if coming back to Peru was a mistake.

“No.” She said aloud. It’s not a mistake. I know he’s alive. I just know it. She tied her blonde hair back into a ponytail and leaned back her head. She glanced at the passenger next to her. “You okay, Theodore?”

Theodore shrugged. “I’m just so scared. Scared that we’ll get there and—” He didn’t need to finish his sentence. 

Erin knew what he meant. Caleb might be dead when they find them.

“Avery doesn’t know where we’re going…does he?” Erin asked.

Theodore hesitated. But finally he answered, “If I would’ve told him, he wouldn’t have let me go. He might’ve not even let you go either.”

“I’m glad we’re going.” Erin announced confidently. “I’m not going to just give up on him. You’re not either. We’re going to find him, nurse him back to health, and life will go back to normal.”

“I’ll arrange the wedding.”

“Stop that.” Erin laughed. Oh, how she wished so dearly for Caleb to be alright. She couldn’t live without him. Theodore couldn’t either.  

Erin looked at Theodore. If something were to happen to him on this trip, she could not forgive herself.

Please God. Keep him safe. He can’t defend himself.

Theodore yawned and closed his eyes. “It’s morning, right?”

“Yeah.”

“What does it look like?”

Erin’s smile faded. She had a flashback of her sister. Her sister was very sickly often. She remembered a day, when her sister laid in bed, nearly dying…

“It’s morning, I think. It must be a nice day. I can feel it. I want to be out so bad.”

“I know you do, Heather. But you’ll get sick. Make sure the curtains stay shut at all times.” Little Erin sighed as she adjusted the covers for her sister.

“What does it look like? Is the sun out yet?”

Erin sat down by her bed and held her sister’s small hand. “The clouds are pink with silver lining. They look like big puffs of cotton candy. And the grass—the grass is edged with golden rays from the sun. It’s beautiful. You’ll get out soon. You’ll get better. I promise.” Erin bent down and kissed her on the forehead.

“Is something wrong Erin?” 

Erin blinked back to reality. “Oh, no, sorry.” She looked out the window. “It’s beautiful. The clouds are different shades of lavender and pink. The sun is in the east and its rays line the clouds. From up here, I can see little dots of houses with lights shining from them. The sky is a light blue and the grass is greener than ever.”

Theodore sighed. “It was a day quite like this one, when we had the accident. And it was a day like this, when Father died.” 

Erin held his hand. “Get some rest. Okay?”

Theodore nodded and closed his eyes.

 

Marion hung up the phone. She dialed a different number. “Andrew, please pick up.” 

Andrew picked up.

“Hi Andrew. Avery can’t find Theodore. Theodore told him Erin was taking him on a little trip, but he never said where. I—I think they’re going back to Peru.”

“What? Why one earth would they do that? We just got back.”

“To look for Caleb. I just have this strong feeling. Please. Please come with me.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Maybe I am. But you’re my friend. Please, Andrew.”

Andrew sighed. “On my way.” 

Caleb found his way to a place that looked like a small diner. It smelled of chicken and drinks.

He walked inside. People were acting dizzy and some could hardly walk on their own two feet.

“I’ll have another!” Cried a familiar voice.

“Matthias. Ezra. Ford.” Caleb strutted to the front of the drunk group and grabbed Matthew by the collar. He pulled him outside and took him into an alleyway.

“Hands off!” Matthew pushed.

Caleb’s hand went to his face and he sighed, annoyed. “I can’t believe you.” He stood straight as a pencil and his voice was firm. “I walked away for one second!”

“Technically, I walked away.”

Caleb’s face turned beet red. 

Matthew chuckled. “At ease, soldier.”

“What?”

“What?” Matthew mimicked him. He straightened up and went to walk but stumbled.

Caleb helped him up. “You need some help.”

Matthew waved a hand in front of his face. “Pfft. Help shmelp.” 

Caleb stood with his hands on hips. “Stay here. I’m going to get a place to stay.” 

Matthew saluted him and stumbled again. “Anything you say!”

Caleb walked through the streets rather quickly, for he knew Matthew would leave any minute. As he walked, he looked over the people’s heads and tried to see If they had a hotel or Air B&B.

“Excuse me!”

A short little man wirled around. “Ola, Como eu posso ajudar—te!” 

Caleb sheepishly smiled. “Thanks.” He went passed him and the stout man tugged on his shirt.

“Como eu posso ajudar—te!” 

“I’m sorry, I only speak English. And some of Dutch, as a matter of fact.”

“How can I help you?”

“You speak English?”

The man laughed out loud. “You foreigners are funny. I was simply asking how I can be of service.”

Caleb felt the heat rise up in his cheeks. “Thank you. I was wondering if you have any available rooms here. Me and my—” Caleb wondered what to call Matthew. “Me and my…brother are looking for someplace to stay.”

The man stared at him. “Oh. I have rooms. Stay with me. It be no problem-o!”

Caleb nodded. “Thank you—o.” He felt more color in his face.

The man grabbed his hand and Caleb led him to Matthew.

Matthew sat in a corner, snoring.

The man narrowed his eyes at him. “This brother?”

Caleb went to speak but couldn’t. “Um…well…he’s—he’s adopted.”

“Oh.” 

Caleb smiled and went to help Matthew up. “Come on, little brother. We’re going to get rooms.”

“Rooms! I’m thirsty!” Matthew grinned a toothy grin.

Caleb chuckled awkwardly. “Stop it.” He whispered.

Matthew laughed and whispered back, “Stop it!” Only his ‘stop it’ was much louder than Caleb’s.

The man took them across town to his little two bedroom cottage. “This home to me. I have two rooms. Two beds.” He took the boys to a small room and closed the door.

“Enjoy!”

Caleb looked at the small bed. 

Matthew plopped on it and fell asleep.

“This can’t be good.”

 

 Erin got off the plane. She breathed in the free air.

“Let’s go rent a jeep.”

Theodore grabbed her hand and they went to a man who rented them out.

After they were finished, they went to head down the main road.

A man stopped them. 

“Is there a problem?” Theodore asked.

The man caught his breath. “That place. It’s cursed.”

“What?” They both said at once.

“It exploded. Everything burnt. It was probably those cursed people that entered that area. It’s their fault. I know it is. People talk. I heard all about them. Cursed they are, cursed!”

“What exactly did these people look like?” Erin asked nervously, trying to sound casual.

“They—they—” The man thought. “There was two ladies. One a nurse. I know from stories. I haven’t seen them for real. There— there was the one with the satchel…”

Caleb.

“The one with the curly brown hair.”

Andrew.

“The one with fiery hair."

Marion.

“And...the little one."

Theodore blushed.

Erin sighed loudly. “Well, hopefully they don’t come around.” Erin went to start the jeep up again when the man got in front of the car.

“What are you doing?” Erin asked.

“You’re white too. You’ll curse us all.”

Erin sighed. What to do, what to do. Erin thought of something. She backed up the car and went the opposite way.

“What are you doing?” The man yelled.

“Going to Brazil!” She yelled back.

Theodore hung on to the seat. “Why Brazil?”

“I don’t know. But we’re only two days away from there. We can stop, get food, have some rest, and then turn back. If that man were to have any suspicions about us, we could be in grave danger. These places aren’t always safe. Now, people are going around saying we cursed part of the Amazon.”

Theodore laughed.

“What’s so funny about that?”

“I don’t know. It’s just, I never pictured myself having these adventures across the world.”

Erin laughed with him. “Me neither.”