[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Cecil sat between the latter two men on the opposite side from Jack. Jack was
not certain why she never sat with him when in the company of her friends, but
that voice told him this was further proof that he did not belong here.
David said, taking out a Bible of his own along with a folder that read:
Studies for the
Page 45
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Growing Christian.  Hi Jack. Really good to see you again. How was your week?
That voice emerged in his mind again. It told him that this inquiry was an
attempt to discredit him, to prove that he was not Christian enough to be
here.
Jack answered,  My week rocked, eh. You?
 I had a lot of studying to do for mid-terms.
That voice again:
Hear that? A shot because you are not an educated man.
Jack sighed and wondered why everything went silent. He wished he could leave.
Tim broke the stillness.  Has everyone turned in their forms for camp this
weekend?
Jack gave Cecil a perplexed look and she said,  Every Thanksgiving weekend we
have a camp for the youth. It s a lot of fun, you should come.
 It costs twenty-five bucks, Phil added.
The Kith  39 
Another shot, Jack thought. Then aloud he said,  I think I can handle that.
 Oh, Tim sounded surprised.  Well, if you want to come I ll get you a form to
fill out.
Remind me after service.
Jack wondered what exactly he was getting himself into. It seemed to him that
if they really wanted him to come they would have told him sooner. But they
hadn t, and he wondered why.
Naztar let his son go and sat behind his desk.  So kill him, don t tell me you
have gone soft.
 No, Father, I have not. Jack returned to his chair and kicked his feet upon
the desk.
Both Kiths glared at one another, until Naztar focused on the computer before
him.
 Then what is it?
 I want to know why he is here.
 To avenge his sister.
 It is not that way with Christians. There is more, and I want to know what.
A long, winding dirt road led from the highway to a football size green field.
The road was narrow, cast over by shadows and had deep tire impressions from
past travellers. Some impressions stayed true, others veered near the edge
while many ran off into the ditch. Jack wondered if he would stay true on his
road. Unlike those whom he followed his car was large and powerful, meant more
for a hard, fast life than the practicality from which he now demanded. He
sighed.
Page 46
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
 You are going to love this camp, Cecil exclaimed from the passenger seat.
 We come here every Thanksgiving weekend, and it s such a blast.
Jack said nothing as he pulled off the road and into the field. He parked in
line with all the other cars, smiled at his passenger and considered his
predicament. With all their talk of acceptance, of unconditional love and
freedom of sin through Christ, what would they do should they be told of
everything of his past (including those things he only recently admitted to
himself).
 I think I maybe want to give my testimony at the fire tonight, he said,
breaking his silence.
She gave him that empathetic look and smiled sweetly.  You don t have to.
 I do. I want a life with honesty, one that I never have to be afraid of what
you might learn of me.
Reaching out she hugged him and whispered,  You never have to be afraid,
Jack.
He held her back, ignoring the voice that said this would be their last
embrace.
Jack watched from a distance a bonfire cutting through a seemingly
impenetrable darkness. Red flames flickered from a blue base, sending shards
of ashes into the air. Tiny specs of fire competed high above with the stars,
but each one relinquished with a snapping sound. The Heavens mastered the
night with a bright white moon crowded against the busy stars. Jack s vision
returned to the fire below, where silhouettes of youths and leaders clambered
for warmth.
The Kith  40 
 And where do you belong, Jack? It was that cloaked figure again.  In the
Heavens following blindly or within the flames as a man of his own destiny?
Jack did not face the stranger. He stayed fixated on the group of people whom
he wanted so much to call friends.
The figure said,  If only you belonged, but you do not. The names of those who
are saved are written, you are not among them.
 You cannot tempt me.
He laughed.  I don t need to tempt you. All I need is to echo your thoughts,
and remind you of who you are.
Jack turned to face this stranger but he was nowhere to be seen. The only
sound were those of crickets and frogs, the only vision was that of the fire [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]