Chapter 3
“Soul Man”
Sam and Dave

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A Still-Dark, Still-Deserted Truck Stop,
Halfway Between Here and There,
Much Later and Much Calmer. 

“THE RULES SEEM pretty straightforward, now that you’ve gone over them in detail. I wish I’d understood all of this before I headed out on the highway the first time.”

“As do I, Jake. You would have been better prepared to do the job, and you would have been safer, too. Dealing with desperate souls in peril is neither an easy nor risk-free proposition, even with the benefit of a few added powers. You are not invulnerable.”

“So I am still mortal, then?”

“Yes. And no. You are in a unique position, I am afraid. None of this has been attempted before, so we are, well . . .”

“Making it up as you go?”

“I was going to say we are in a gray area, but your description would be accurate, as well. Angels are immortal. Humans are not, and as mortal beings, humans have a soul. But you are not exactly human any longer.”

“Because of that whole drowning in the river thing.”

“Exactly. Even angels cannot pretend death did not happen. We brought you back for a reason, but as something very different. Unique.”

“Please tell me I still have a soul.”

“Technically, yes.”

“Technically? Exactly what does that mean?”

“It means your soul is safe for now, but if you do well as an emissary, it will not matter. You will not need it.”

“What if I don’t do well? What if I’m no good at it, or it’s just an impossible task–maybe even a bad idea?”

A touch of blue fire flashed through Azrael’s eyes, disappearing almost as fast as it came. “Please understand, I am convinced this is a good plan. But if I am wrong, or if you do not do well at it, we will end your work as an emissary, and your soul will come back into play.”

“How?”

“At that point, it will be judged, and you will proceed to the afterlife that is your due, exactly as you would have before we gave you this opportunity. Being an emissary for us will not cost you your soul. You will have lost nothing, Jake.”

“Assuming I survive in one piece.”

“Yes, there is that, so you must take these warnings with the utmost seriousness. First, though you cannot be killed by anything that happens in your world, do not assume that holds true in mine. Second, you can still be grievously injured here on earth, as my regrettable loss of temper earlier proved.”

“Meaning I pretty much have to take the same precautions I took before I died. I can’t go barreling down the highway like a reckless fool now, any more than I could as a regular guy.”

“You are getting the idea. It will take a lot more to injure you than in your previous existence, but you must still be careful. I have given you extra strength and resilience along with your new powers, but you have not been granted invincibility.”

“Okay. I think I’ve got it. Can’t die here in my world, but I can be hurt, though not easily. And I should probably stay out of your world as much as possible if I don’t want to end up dodging potentially fatal lightning bolts or being shish-kebabbed by an icicle. Bottom line, be careful. Watch what I’m doing and where. Stay safe.”

“Yes. And be careful of the others you meet on your missions, too. The innocent bystanders, I think you would call them, though one might question the accuracy of that phrase. But you do have an added responsibility to watch out for them as well, when possible. You are charged with helping save the souls of living people in true peril who may need a little bit of direction, but please do not do anything foolish that might end up with bystanders being hastened on their way from this world to the next.”

“Got it. No killing anybody, accidentally or otherwise, even if they deserve it.”

Azrael glared, and Jake held up his hand. “Just kidding.”

“That is your idea of something amusing? I do not understand.”

Jake grinned. “I know. That’s what makes it funny.”

“If you are quite done entertaining yourself at my expense, shall we move along? There are still a few more details to clarify.”

Azrael looked more hurt than annoyed, and Jake regretted his thoughtless words.

“I’m sorry if I sounded like I don’t recognize the importance of what you’ve asked of me. I’m just nervous. One minute, I’m drowning in a dark, muddy river, and the next, I’m in the middle of some sort of angelic brawl. Then I find myself on the highway, driving a big red and white semi—which, by the way, never seems to run low on gas—and suddenly, I’ve broken a bunch of rules, and I’m in big trouble. It’s all happening so fast, I’m way beyond nervous. I’m downright terrified.”

Azrael pondered a moment, blue eyes radiating concern. Leaning across the seat, the angel placed his hand on Jake’s shoulder, and the knot of tension inside Jake melted away.

“Better, now?”

“Much. How’d you do that?”

“No matter. Save your nervous energy for any battles that might lie in your path. That kind of sharpness will give you an edge. I cannot foresee the dangers you might face on the road ahead, but you have no need to be terrified of me. I understand how you went astray before, and it will not count against you any longer. You are starting your mission with a clean record. But in the future, you must be certain that the help you give does not come with extra nudges, or anything else that could confirm, or even hint at, who you represent.”

“Okay. I understand I’m not allowed to do that, but I’m still a bit hazy on why not. Wouldn’t it simplify things if they knew who I work for? If they knew angels were real?”

Azrael sighed. “Why must you be so inquisitive?”

“Human nature. I do still have that, don’t I?”

“Obviously.”

Jake grinned.

Azrael didn’t miss a beat. “And that was supposed to be a good thing. Something that would help you relate to those who need you. I guess I will learn to deal with it.”

Jake shrugged. “You gotta take the good with the bad, right?”

“Agreed. But it works both ways. You must also accept that there are some things I will not be able to explain in a way you would understand, and there will be others that I am simply not at liberty to discuss. However, when I can, I promise to answer your questions to the best of my ability, and I will never lie to you.”

“Fair enough. Can we begin with what I just asked you? Why hide who I am, and that angels are real?”

“Why am I not surprised you did not let that go? Tenacity is another of those things I am going to have to learn to accept. The answer to your question is simple. It all comes down to faith. All religions are based on faith. You must accept the basic tenets of your religious beliefs without being provided with concrete evidence.”

“So, I should never expect to see News at Six footage of angels coming down from the skies to smite the wicked? Or interviews with heavenly personages describing the joys of the afterlife? No selfies of recently deceased celebrities hobnobbing with St. Peter?”

Azrael ignored his attempts at humor. “If you look around you, the evidence of God’s love is everywhere, but no. No obvious proof, Jake. Just faith. And the willingness to live an unselfish life, honoring the God of your religion, without perverting the tenets of that religion, and aimed toward making a difference—even a small one—for the betterment of others. Those are the things deemed most significant when all is said and done, and a deep and abiding faith is the foundation upon which all else is built.”

“So, offering clues or providing proof is actually cheating, then?”

“In a manner of speaking. It takes away the opportunity for the person to believe based on his or her faith alone. Does that help you understand why the note to Hunter was a bad thing?”

“I think so. Did I do him harm, then? Hurt his chance at salvation?”

“No way to be sure, yet. Life is full of temptations and choices, and free will means he can get it right, or wrong, at any point. But if it eases your mind, I would guess the woman—Willow —will always be the deciding factor in this man’s life, and her faith is strong. I do not think he will get lost again.”

 Relief swept through Jake. “Thank you for explaining. Hunter really got to me, but I see now that what I did was wrong. I’ll do my best to be careful in the future.”

Azrael regarded him for a long moment, then nodded, satisfied. “We did not begin our relationship on the best footing, Jake, and I take the blame for that, but where we go from here is up to both of us.” The angel paused, brows drawing downward. “Of course, I meant there to be more than one of you going forth, but from what you have shared with me, it would seem I now need to locate a few more suitable candidates. Until I get that sorted out, however, you are to proceed with the mission, just as I have explained.”

“But how will I know when a soul is in mortal peril?”

“How did you know with Hunter?”

“I couldn’t help knowing with him, Azrael. The man was so lost, it was impossible to miss. His eyes were filled with pain and sorrow, and every move he made hurt him. In three days of traveling with me, he never said more than a handful of words, and those only when he had to. He was focused on ending his pain by ending himself. There was no way to miss the trouble he was in.”

“Exactly. You will not miss souls in immediate jeopardy. They may not exhibit the exact signs Hunter did, but their pain should be obvious. You had a perceptive, caring nature before you crossed over. Add to that the little boost you have been given, and you should see it clearly.”

“Well, even if I get good at spotting a soul in danger, how will I know what to do? They won’t all need the same thing, will they?”

“No. Some will need only the slightest redirection. Others might require a bit more work, though within my guidelines, of course. You will have to evaluate each person, making decisions as you go. All I ask is that you do what you can. And Jake? You will not be able to save all of them. Some are too set on self-destruction to ever be swayed from their path. You will have to learn to accept that and move on. Now, dare I ask if you have any more questions?”

“I just have one more. What exactly is our relationship? Yours and mine?”

“I mean for us to be a team, sharing the same goals. Working together to benefit mankind, with mutual respect, understanding, and support. We would, as you might say, have each other’s backs.”

“So, no structural hierarchy involved?”

“Oh, I did not mean to imply that. Sorry, Jake, but you had it right from the start. I am, indeed, the boss. Just do not call me that.”

And with a wicked grin that looked surprisingly at home on his face, Azrael climbed out of the truck, walked around to the driver’s door, and motioned for Jake to join him. They stood contemplating each other in the darkness, then the angel placed a hand on each of Jake’s shoulders, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. Jake closed his eyes, as well, and waited. In a reverent voice, Azrael delivered a quiet benediction, and when he raised his head again, he graced Jake with a smile of astonishing purity.

His immense, snow-white wings snapped open, and Azrael rose into the air, a being of such perfect and divine beauty, it almost hurt to look upon him. Jake swore on the spot he would do whatever he was asked—forever, if need be—to earn the angel’s respect. He was never going to disappoint Azrael again.

He stood watching the dark sky long after the angel had disappeared, then climbed back into his truck and turned the key. The big engine rumbled to life, and he smiled at the sound.

With a final glance out the window, Jake gave a nod toward the heavens. “Whatever you say, Boss.”

He pulled out of the truck stop and onto the highway once more—and this time, he was ready for the job ahead.

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There you have today’s offering.
Stay tuned for Chapter 4 tomorrow!

THE EMISSARY