Several weeks had passed. Avery had finally begun to relax, sleep without wakefulness and keep from looking over her shoulder everywhere she went. Today, she’d even been brave enough to stop at her favorite coffee shop on the way to work.
As she stepped onto the sidewalk, she sipped the latte she held, closed her eyes and lifted her face toward the warm sun. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly. Something caught her eye peripherally and she glanced in the direction of the passersby making their way to their respective destinations. Now she caught her breath.
It couldn’t be. Could it? For just a moment, she thought she’d seen the stranger from what she now called her nightmare. Turning swiftly, she peered in that direction but no longer saw him. Had she imagined it? A shudder ran up her spine as she assured herself she must have imagined it.
Odd, she thought, that she hadn’t experienced anything like that before. Suddenly, she felt uneasy and hurried to her car.
Still frazzled, she hurried to her desk, shoved her purse in a drawer and turned her computer on. While waiting for it to load, she placed a hand on the desk on either side of her keyboard, closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself. It wasn’t real, she told herself. You took action, you’re going to church. You’re safe.
Sensing a presence, she opened her eyes and jumped when she saw someone at the corner or her cube. She gasped involuntarily and then breathed out.
With a frown, the young woman asked. “Hey, you okay?”
She and Chelsea had started with the company at the same time and become what Avery called “work friends.” They talked regularly, often had lunch together but never saw each other outside work. With a relieved smile, she nodded. “You startled me, that’s all.”
Chelsea nodded.
“What’s up?”
“I was about to ask you that. We’ve missed you at lunch. Daniel has been sharing some really interesting stuff he’s seen online.”
Avery nodded. “Oh.”
“You aren’t interested anymore?”
“Let me ask you something, Chels.” Taking a breath, she weighed her words. “Have you ever thought what it would be like?”
“What?”
“You know. If you ever saw something yourself.”
“Well…”
“I mean, what if one of those beings came and they took you somewhere. Like, without your agreeing or even knowing until you got there?”
The other girl frowned. “I don’t know…”
“Would you still think it was cool or… Would it freak you out?”
“Maybe. It would depend, I guess.”
“On what?”
Shrugging dismissively, she replied. “That kind of stuff doesn’t happen to normal people.”
“Normal people?”
With an impatient sigh, she continued. “We’re just having some fun, Avery. It’s nothing serious.”
“How do you know?”
“Hey, if you don’t want to hear about it, okay. No big deal.”
“Think about it, Chelsea. It could be more real than you know.”
Her expression showed her hesitance and doubt. “Well, I gotta get back to work.”
Nothing serious. Just having some fun. Avery thought soberly, but she didn’t dare to share her experience with them. After all, That kind of stuff didn’t happen to normal people, right? Yeah, right.
Avery had been unable all day to shake the feeling that she was being watched. Despite the lack of evidence anywhere she could see, it plagued her. It wasn’t until she was secure inside the house that she felt the heaviness lift.
Dropping her purse by the chair, she collapsed into it and sighed. So relieved, yet exhausted, she nearly decided against going to the mid-week service at church but thought it best not to hedge her bets.
When the feeling returned as she stepped out of the house toward the car, it made her confident in her decision, especially when the foreboding subsided the moment she entered the building. Mallory would know what it was and what she should do about it, if anything. She looked in the foyer and then in the sanctuary for her sister but didn’t find her. Not unusual though, knowing Mallory volunteered in the youth service frequently on Wednesday nights and for activities. She would text her after.
When the service ended, she pulled out her phone to text, delighted when she found a message already there.
Hey, meet for coffee. You’re here, right?
I am. How about some food too? I need to talk to you.
Everything okay?
Avery had grown accustomed to and had been grateful for her support in the last few weeks. Better we talk in person, okay?
Of course. See you there.
Tucking her phone in her purse, she made purposely for her car, disturbed again when the feeling returned as she stepped into the parking lot. Scanning the periphery, she saw nothing concerning but hurried anyway. She needed advice fast. This had to stop.
Her eyes continually scanning the periphery, expecting at any moment to see the stranger staring at her from a nearby table, Avery nervously picked up the menu in front of her and put it down again. Anxious for her sister’s arrival, she let out the breath she was holding when she spied her approaching the glass entry doors.
Mallory breezed in, fresh faced and full of energy as usual, her face bright and smiling.
Avery had forgotten, during the time they’d been distant, just how upbeat and full of life her sister was. Sometimes she wondered at it, even almost to the point of envy. She hadn’t felt like that in a long time, if ever.
Waving as she spotted her, Mallory made her way purposely toward the booth, slung her purse in ahead of taking a seat. Turning her attention to her sister, she grinned. “I know exactly what I want.”
“Really?”
“Yup. A big blondie, with a bigger scoop of ice cream on the side.” She pushed the menu toward the edge of the table. “So what’s up?”
Avery took a breath, about to speak when seemingly out of nowhere, the server appeared.
“A blondie. Vanilla ice cream on top.” Mallory said cheerfully.
The server nodded perking up at her enthusiasm and turned to Avery.
“Just coffee.” She said, trying for more energy that she felt. “Keep it coming, please.”
Gathering the menus, he nodded. “Coming right up.”
Before her sister could speak, Mallory looked beyond her toward the door and waved.
Turning to see who it could be, Avery stared.
The guy had just entered. Looking like something out of an upscale men’s fragrance ad, he was tall, broad shouldered but lean, and dressed in a trendy jacket, button down and not too slim fitting jeans. With a square jaw, covered with an attractive layer of stubble, his cheekbones were high, his hair casually ruffled and eyes intense but bright. He smiled, lifted his head in acknowledgement and started toward them.
Whoa, she thought. How had she never met him before? Mallory obviously knew him well enough that he would join them. Had she invited him? Even knowing her sister needed to talk?
“Hey!” Mallory greeted. “Want to join us?”
“I can’t” He replied, the hint of an Australian accent detectible. “I’m just waiting on a take away.”
Mallory nodded, then it occurred to her and she motioned toward Avery. “This is my sister, Avery.”
He glanced at her and nodded.
“Ave, this is James.”
“Nice to meet you.” She said, feeling awkward at how attractive she thought he was.
“Great ministry tonight.” Mallory complimented. “Really got through I think.”
James nodded. “Thanks.”
The bartender motioned to him.
“My order.” He said.
“Okay.” Mallory said.
“Coming down Saturday?”
“I can’t. I have to work.”
“Ah. Next time, then?”
“Definitely.” She turned her attention back to Avery as he walked away.
Avery gave her a knowing look.
“What?” She asked, her expression blank.
“Come on, Mal.” Avery said lowly. “The guy is hot.”
Mallory giggled. “Yeah.”
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Uh, something going on there?”
“Oh no!” she shook her head. “James is a friend. We work together in youth.”
“That’s it? Seriously?”
Her expression sobered slightly. “Yeah. He’s the best, really. Totally on fire.”
“So then?”
“Everybody wants James.” She smiled earnestly. “Everybody but me. He’s a friend and I love his walk with God. He inspires me but we would never work.”
“Why not?”
“Just different. He has a ministry and I’m not called to partner in something like that.”
“Like what?”
“He works with at risk kids.” She replied, smiling as the server brought their orders. “He’s into street evangelism and deliverance.”
“Really?” She’d always thought Mallory the most committed person she knew. “And you aren’t?”
“Not like James.” She admitted, taking a bite of her food. “It’s his passion. His life.”
Hmm. Avery pondered, sipping her coffee.
“Oh.” As if the thought just came to her. “What’s on your mind? You said you needed to talk.”
Taking a sip of her coffee, Avery hesitated. Was she overreacting? It seemed a little silly now, with Mallory seated across from her.
Mallory frowned and set her fork down. “What’s up, Ave?”
Feeling slightly self-conscious now, she looked up across the table and shrugged casually. “Maybe nothing. But…”
Her sister leaned in. “Come on, spill.”
“This morning, when I came out of the coffee shop, I thought I saw him.”
“Him? You mean…?”
“Yeah, the guy from… you know.”
She nodded. “And?”
“When I looked again, I didn’t see anyone resembling him or anything like him.”
“Okay. So then…?”
“But all day, I’ve felt like someone was watching me.” She stared into her cup, fingered the rim. “The only time I didn’t was in the house, and in church.”
Pondering, she took a bite of her dessert and mused.
“What do you think it means?” Avery probed. “Is that possible? Am I crazy and just imagining things?”
“I don’t know.” Mallory admitted. “You know, this is a little out of my scope. I mean, I’ve looked at the whole alien/Nephilim thing enough to know what could be coming and what to avoid, but that’s about the extent of my knowledge.”
Crestfallen, she dropped her hands to her side. “What do I do, Mallory? It’s had me on edge all day.”
“There’s only one thing I can think of.”
Hopeful now, she lifted her head. “What?”
“I could call James.”
“What?” As much as she wanted to be free of the foreboding, she wasn’t sure she was comfortable with the possibility of his knowing her experience. “Uhhh…”
“I know.” Mallory said, between bites. “You think he’s hot and don’t want to tell him what happened.”
She felt a blush and only half nodded.
“But seriously, Ave, he has a lot of knowledge and experience with this kind of thing.” She took a breath. “Not aliens, at least not that I know of, but dark forces anyway. I told you, he has a deliverance ministry.”
“Deliverance? You think I’m possessed or something?”
“No. But we both know you opened a door. He could help you identify what’s happening and tell you what to do to get rid of it.”
Avery considered. “Let me think about it. If I’m imagining things, maybe it will pass.”
Mallory scooped the last of her blondie from the plate. Maybe, she thought, but highly doubted it.
The uneasiness returned the moment she got in the car to go home. She half expected someone or something to appear in the backseat but felt relief when she pulled into her driveway.
Still, she hurried to the door, but not before catching a glimpse of something from the corner of her eye. Her head whipped around and she could have sworn she saw one of those gray figures near the bushes that separated her yard from the neighbor’s but just as quickly, it vanished.
Once inside, there settled an external calm and feeling of safety but in her head, fear continued to rage. She made a cup of tea and settled into her chair to read her bible – something she’d been neglecting of late; assured that the crisis had passed.
After a single chapter, unable to concentrate, she decided a night’s rest was called for. Climbing into bed, more tired than she could take, gratitude swept her as she drifted immediately off to sleep.
The respite didn’t last long. Sitting up quickly, she caught site of the stranger standing at the foot of her bed, a malevolent grin across what she now recognized as a sinister countenance. In his arms, he held a baby against his chest, face not visible to her.
Avery woke, screaming. “Nooooo!”
Realizing it seemed to be a dream, she heard distinctly what sounded like laughter.
Unable to sleep much, frazzled and overcome with fear, Avery called off work, stayed in her pajamas and curled up in front of the television. She didn’t dare step foot outside the only place she felt truly safe.
She was confident that what she’d experienced had been a dream but wondered that the stranger had been able to hack her sleep and torment her. The last thing she needed was to go outside where they could have access to more than that.
Desperate and shaken, she’d call her sister when she finished work and ask her to call her friend. Awkward as that would be, it had to be better than living like this.
Mallory had arranged for her to meet with James at the church on Saturday after some youth thing he was doing.
She had half sleepwalked through the next two days. Embarrassing as it would be to see him again in her sleep-deprived, frazzled state, the situation had become desperate and she decided it would be worth it to get free.
In the youth fellowship hall, he sat surrounded by a group of teenagers. Just as devastatingly handsome as he’d been the other night, his expression showed the intensity of full-on engagement as he leaned into the group, bible open and his eyes alight as he spoke.
At the doorway, Avery stood observing, unnoticed. She could see how they seemed to hang on his every word and marveled at it. No wonder, she thought, that he had captured the fancy of young women in the church. The screen-idol features, along with such passion, made for a heady combination.
He closed his bible, leaned back and smiled. “That’s all we have time for today.”
Their groans of disappointment seemed genuine.
“We’ll continue with this next week.” He encouraged with a nod.
Murmuring, they rose, milling around and gathering their things before heading for the door.
Avery stood aside to let them pass.
James nodded his recognition as he saw her.
Approaching tentatively, she wasn’t sure what to say or how much her sister had shared with him. Her voice small, she asked. “What has Mallory told you about me?”
“Nothing.” He said with a shake of his head while indicating with a wave of his hand that she should sit and taking his own again. “Except that you might need my help.”
She took a seat across from him, fidgeting in her discomfort.
“So what can I do for you?”
Charmed by the accent and encouraged by his easy demeanor, she determined to tell him as few of the specifics as she could manage. “Do you believe in aliens, James?”
“Well,” he replied, leaning forward and folding his hands in front of him. “That depends on what you mean by aliens.”
Cocking her head to the side, her expression asked the follow up question.
“If you mean beings on this planet not of human form, then yes.” Taking a breath, he continued. “But beings from other planets? No.”
Avery nodded. “What about abductions? Do you think they’re real?”
“I believe demonic entities can manipulate time and space.” His look turned curious. “You’ve had an experience?”
“Yes. I woke in the middle of the night some weeks ago in a place I didn’t recognize.” She swallowed. “In a hospital of sorts. There were these gray beings all around, dressed like hospital staff. And a guy…”
“A guy?” Casually urging, his tone stayed neutral.
“Someone I’d met at a book signing.” Eyes downcast, she spoke even more quietly. “I’d bought some books on alien sightings, AI, and tech.”
James just indicated she should continue.
“I thought it was a dream, but when I woke up, I had a scar on my abdomen that hadn’t been there before.”
“A scar?”
“The guy said I was having a baby.”
“A baby? Did you?”
“I don’t remember. I screamed and then I was back in my own room.”
“Avery,” he said quietly. “Are you saved?”
She frowned. “I grew up in church.”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
“I was so freaked out after that experience that I called Mallory. She came to the house and we prayed. She anointed the house with oil, and we agreed my house would be off limits.”
“I know you and Mallory grew up in church. But you… what?”
Feeling an unusual discomfort, she admitted. “I got out of church for a while. But I came back after that.”
“But do you know you’re saved?”
Avery frowned, unsure how to answer.
“Listen,” he said. “Do you have some time? I’d like to show you something.”
“Okay.” A little hesitant, she didn’t feel threatened.
“Come on.” He said, standing. “Will you drive?”
“Sure.” In wonder, she rose and followed him out.
With him directing, she drove through town, becoming a little uncomfortable as they entered a part of town known for unsavory activity. Glancing at him, she could see he remained completely calm.
“Park here.” He said, indicating a space in front of a shabby building that appeared to be an old storefront.
Pulling in, she began to feel anxious.
He reached in his jacket, pulled out what appeared to be a parking decal and placed it on the dash facing outward. “Don’t worry. With that decal, no one will bother your car.”
Opening her door, she got out and walked around to the sidewalk, noticing the writing on the decal. Youth Alive. Hurrying to follow him, she felt threatened by the atmosphere, noticing the rough-looking people hanging around on the street, many of them very young.
James opened the door to the building and motioned for her to enter.
Inside, a flurry of activity in progress, it consisted of mostly young people, kids really, with only a couple of adults. Many of them had the same dull expressions common in movies and shows documenting the lives of street kids. A few of them looked livelier.
“Trick!” The adult behind the front counter greeted.
James lifted a hand in response.
Curious, Avery looked around, her attention caught by a young girl.
Sitting alone in a corner, knees pulled up in front of her with chin resting on them, her eyes were hollow as she stared vacantly. She couldn’t have been more than twelve.
Noticing where she had focused, James said, very quietly. “That’s Addie.”
She didn’t want to appear too curious, so she nodded.
Looking directly at Avery he explained. “She’s only been here about six weeks. One of the girls found her in a dumpster a few blocks from here.”
Avery stared, sure she’d misunderstood. “In a dumpster?”
“Yeah.” He continued. “Her mum sold her for a couple of rocks. When the dealer finished with her, he threw her away.”
Eyes wide, she gaped at him, chills creeping up her spine.
“No telling how many times she was raped. She only spoke for the first time a couple of days ago….” He grinned. “When she accepted Jesus as her savior.”
Feeling sick, she didn’t know where to put herself.
“Then there’s Cal,” he indicated a boy leaning on the counter, false bravado on display. “He tries to look tough but his stepdad beat him so badly, he’s got scars all over his back and legs.”
“Why did you bring me here?” She rasped, feeling small and covered in something she couldn’t exactly name. Something like guilt, mixed with a kind of compassion and horror at the same time.
“Come on.” He directed, starting toward a door in the back of the room.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to follow, if more scenes and stories like this were on the other side but was relieved to find it was a small room filled with chairs but no one inside.
He pointed to one and waited for her to sit before he did the same.
Tentative and nervous, she crossed her arms in front.
“You grew up in church.” He said firmly. “Yet you walked away from God and played around with the demonic. It got you in trouble so you ran back.”
Avery just stared.
“You had every opportunity to serve Him for real, but you only wanted to make your life better.” Shaking his head, he went on. “Jesus didn’t die to give you a comfortable life.” Waving toward the outer room. “That’s the difference between them and you. To them, Jesus isn’t a part of a good life. He is life.”
Avery didn’t know what to say so she kept silent.
“Take a look around you, Avery.” He commanded. “There’s a culture gone mad. People are dying every day, living in circumstances you can’t even wrap your head around. That’s what Jesus died for!”
Finding a modicum of courage, she asked. “Why do they call you Trick?”
“Because I was one of them.” He replied nonchalantly.
“One of…?”
“I was a rent boy.” He announced, unconcerned with the possible reaction.
“A rent boy?”
“Hustler.” He could see she had no clue. “It’s what they call male prostitutes in London.”
Trying not to react, her mouth hung open.
“Yeah, that’s right.” He answered. “My name is James Patrick Bedford. They called me Trick on the street.” Softening slightly, he explained. “A street preacher in London shared Jesus with me and I accepted Him. I came to the US to get a fresh start but use that street name to connect with these kids.”
“That’s why you’re so passionate.” She replied softly.
“I owe Jesus my life. I’d likely be dead by now if it wasn’t for Him. It’s the same for most of the kids here.”
As pained as she was, she couldn’t see how this helped her to be free of the torment. “So are you going to help me?”
Folding his hands he restrained his impatience. “If you’ve been born again, the devil has no authority over you.” He addressed what he knew she was thinking. “Do you spend any time studying and in prayer? Meditating or in worship?”
The guilt returned.
Nodding, recognizing the response, he declared. “The Word says if a house is swept and put in order, but no one occupies it, the evil spirit will return and the situation be even worse than before.”
Her eyes large, they filled.
“Don’t you get it?” He exhaled. “There’s so much more than your little world.”
Hanging her head, she didn’t respond.
“Rise up. Meditate the Word until your confidence in who you are in Christ rises up. The devil and demonic forces have no power or place in the life of a believer. It’s in your power to get rid of them.”
Head bobbing her only reply as her voice refused to come.
“I don’t mean to be harsh.” He admitted softly. “I know my conviction can come on a bit strong.”
They drove back to the church in awkward silence.
James directed her to where his car was parked. As he opened the door and started out he turned toward her. “You don’t need deliverance, Avery. What you need is a decision, and a commitment to that decision.”
Still on the verge of tears, she nodded. “I know.”
He smiled, hesitating just an instant before getting out, closing the door behind him and walking away without looking back.
Avery drove home, thoughts jumbled, emotions in turmoil. The heavy feeling returned but not as severe as it had been.
Once inside, she looked at the bible she’d been neglecting, picked it up and sat down in the chair. As difficult as it had been to hear, she knew James was right. She’d used Mallory and her connection to God to relieve her fear and anxiety without being serious enough to completely commit.
The thought of those desperate kids, what they’d endured and how they’d turned to God for real, clinging to their faith in Jesus as their only hope brought shame she’d never experienced before.
“Forgive me,” she whispered softly. “If you still want me, I’m yours. For real this time.”
She spent the rest of the weekend fasting, praying and studying. Her sleep came restful and uninterrupted. By Monday morning, she felt like a new person, stronger than she’d ever felt before.
On the way to work, she stopped at her favorite coffee shop, full of peace and energy. As she stepped outside with her latte, she collided with someone coming in.
“Hello, Avery.” He said.
Taken by surprise, she hadn’t seen anyone coming and looking up to apologize, and to her horror, she recognized the stranger.
“I’ve missed you.” His smile dripped oily.
Avery straightened, met his gaze directly and declared. “I am not afraid of you. You have no hold on me. I belong to Jesus now and there’s nothing you can do about it. Get away from me and stay out of my life. You and all your… whatevers.” She waved her hand for effect.
Startled, he gaped. Without speaking, he simply disappeared.
Continuing on to the office, she strolled to her desk, put her purse in a drawer and went in search of Chelsea; thankful to find her alone at her own desk.
Curious, the other girl looked up. “What’s up, Avery?”
“I need to apologize for the way I acted the other day.”
Chelsea shrugged. “No problem.”
“I want to warn you. What you’re messing with, the aliens, AI, transhumanism. It’s dangerous.”
“I know you’re not interested anymore but…”
Avery put up a hand to stop her. “It’s more than that, Chels. There’s a deeper agenda at play.”
“What do you mean?” Her frown showed her confusion.
“I had an experience.” Avery swallowed hard. “It cost me.”
“You…?”
“The fear, the torment. It became unbearable.”
“What happened?”
“Do you believe in God, Chelsea?”
“Well, sure. Don’t most people?”
“Maybe. But surrendering my life to Jesus was the only thing that let me get free of it all. Do you know him?”
“What do you mean?”
“Have you ever made him Lord and Savior of your life?” She paused. “It’s the only protection for what’s coming. All this talk about alien disclosure, the rise of AI and stuff. It’s only the beginning. And where it leads is a place no one should go willingly.”
Chelsea frowned. “I don’t know what that even means.”
“Are you interested? We could talk about it, over lunch or something.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it.”
“Let me know if you do.” Avery offered. As she walked away, she thanked God for her sister, for James’ honesty and for her freedom.
The church, she thought, has work to do.
Lisa Greco Filali 