Chapter Twenty-Five
A fog lifted from Andrew’s mind as if he were waking from a dream. The massive train station looked familiar. The lavish building had a high ceiling and arched gateways. The bright lighting almost hurt his eyes. The chatter of voices dominated all other sounds. He gazed around and saw men and women dressed in uniforms talking to people. Those with the same attire held tablets in their hands. His eyes widened with alarm. As he watched people stride toward the back of the station, he realized where he was.
One of the male employees approached him. “Can I get your name please?”
“Andrew Webster. I shouldn’t be here. This is a mistake. I have to go back.”
He ambled and ran a hand through his hair as the young man typed on his device. He tried to recall the last moments on Earth. His thoughts were still cloudy. He’d stabbed the demon. Yes. He’d shoved the blade into the man’s heart. Then what? He pressed his eyes shut while he tried to remember. Everything had vanished.
“I’m not able to find you in the system. This is strange,” the young man said, and Andrew opened his eyelids.
“I’m not supposed to be here yet. I was returned to complete a sentence. But I haven’t. I have to go back.”
The employee lifted his arm and pointed. “Do you see that office over there?”
Andrew turned his gaze in the direction the worker indicated. A large glass window showed two women behind a tall counter. One of the gals held a phone receiver to her ear. Several feet away, he found a door with a sign.
“Go inside and tell them you’re not showing up in the system. They will figure out the problem,” the young man said.
Andrew didn’t bother thanking him and started walking toward office. He had to get back to Earth pronto. Emily would go into hysterics if she hadn’t already.
He reached the door with the sign showing Office. Without delay, he stepped into the quiet room. A young woman with her long brown hair tied behind her head smiled at Andrew. With her button-down white blouse and somewhat round collar fastened together, she looked as if she’d died in the 1950s.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
He stepped up to the counter. “My name is Andrew Webster. I spoke to one of the workers and he couldn’t locate my name in the system. I think I know why. I shouldn’t be here. I’m supposed to be on Earth fulfilling a sentence. So I need to go back right away.”
She took a piece of paper from underneath the counter. Taking a pen from the countertop, she wrote his name. “Wait here, Mr. Webster. I’ll find out what the problem is.” She walked away and then disappeared behind a door near the end of the counter.
Andrew spun and headed toward the window. As he watched people come in and head to the trains, all he could think about was Emily. She’d sensed something had been off. He should’ve listened to her. What if she’d been hurt? He should’ve forced her to stay in the hotel. He should’ve kept her in Utah for the birth of their child.
Alarm coursed through him. The baby. What if something had happened to the baby? He had to get back today. He had to find out if his wife and child were safe and unharmed. If she’d seen the explosion, she would dive deep into a world of hurt. From there, she could lose the baby.
“Mr. Webster?” the young gal called out.
Andrew strode to meet her at the counter.
“Would you mind having a seat in our waiting area?” She pointed to the other end of the room. Beyond the counter, a row of chairs backed up to the wall. “I’m having someone call the main switchboard to get instructions.”
“Look, I’ve been here in heaven before. I wouldn’t lie to you. I was sentenced to Earth to destroy demons. I was in the process of destroying one and ended up back here. I need someone to return me so I can finish my sentence.”
He didn’t bother mentioning his marriage or the upcoming birth of his child. He wagered none of it would matter since workers in heaven followed strict rules.
“Yes, I saw the terms of your sentence. I have someone trying to get directives,” she said. “If you have a seat, I’m sure we’ll get this cleared up soon.”
Andrew released a breath of frustration. He understood she had to do her job and investigate the matter. But with each passing minute, he feared for the lives of his wife and child.
With no other options, he strode to the back of the room and sat. He bobbed one knee and crossed his arms. His stomach churned as he thought about Emily again. She’d go into shock. She would be alone. She hadn’t been prepared to say goodbye yet.
He lifted his hand to rub the back of his neck and noticed the gauze still on his forearm. He lowered his arm and tore the bandage away. The tattoo had vanished. Brows tense, he wondered why the ink had disappeared. Then he recalled he’d been touching the demon when the explosion occurred. Although he hadn’t seen the demon leave the human when they both died, he hoped he’d destroyed it. And if he hadn’t, then the Council would have to send him back. He tossed the beige dressing in the nearby trashcan.
After several minutes of sitting, he grew restless and started pacing in the room. The council would have to send him back since he hadn’t completed the terms of his sentence. If he arrived naked and without any phone or money on Earth again, which he believed he would, he’d have to find a way to reach her. He hoped she would contact Matt and go back to Utah. His smart wife would know better than to stick around in San Antonio.
Andrew shook his head in disgust while he walked back and forth. He should’ve figured out what the demon had been doing when he saw the pipes connected to the devices. He recalled his cell had vibrated in his pocket before darkness engulfed him. Emily probably had figured out the demon’s handiwork and had sent him a warning message. She had to be sick to her stomach from seeing the blast. He’d been beyond stupid not to listen to her. He’d hate himself if she’d been hurt. He’d never forgive himself if she lost the baby.
The office door opened and the sounds from the outside trickled in with the female guard. Her white uniform gave her position away. Though shorter than Emily, she had a curvy figure and her dark hair pinned in a tight bun behind her head. She had a stun stick and another boxy device clipped to her belt. The guard strode toward him.
“Mr. Webster?” she asked.
He stepped closer to her. “Andrew, yes.”
“I need you to come with me.”
“Will you be sending me back?”
“No, the council has to make that decision.”
He swallowed hard as dread surfaced within him.
“I have to go back right away. Will you be taking me to see them now?”
“Their schedule is full for the day. You’ll get to go in front of them tomorrow. For now, you will have to stay in holding.”
His cheeks warmed as ire replaced all other emotions. He took a step back. “No, I have to see them today.”
“I’m sorry, but that isn’t possible.”
“Then make it possible,” he said in a strong voice.
She closed her lips and lifted her chin. “Sir, you need to come with me.” She inched her hand toward her stun stick.
“Call them right now. Put me on the calendar. I don’t care what you have to do, but I must speak with them today.”
The firmness of his tone gathered the attention of the two office ladies. The guard unclipped her stun stick.
Andrew took another step back and lifted his palms up. “I don’t want to cause trouble, but it’s urgent I get back.”
“I have my orders, Mr. Webster. Now please, come with me,” the guard said.
Andrew considered pushing her aside and dodging for the exit. The problem was she’d have time to stun him since he’d have to pass her. Maybe if he caused a scene, the council would see him sooner.
She lifted the stick and moved closer.
“No offense, but your orders suck. I have to speak with them today,” he said.
“I told you, that isn’t possible.”
He didn’t believe her. And he couldn’t waste any more time. He darted to the right to get around her. When she moved to block him, he gave her the stiff arm. She raised the stun stick and jabbed his rib cage as she stumbled back. He heard a snap and felt searing pain. The jolt of the electrical current sent him crashing to the floor and he blacked out.