| 12 Comforting Stranger |
| Nick sauntered across the room and leaned against the foot of the bed, a sarcastic smirk on his face. �What do you think I am, Peggy? Can�t you guess? I�m a demon. One of the fallen who resides with Satan.� �What...� Peggy staggered backwards and passed out on the bed. Mike lifted her and placed her in a comfortable position, then straightened up and stared at his companion. �That wasn�t necessary, Nick. You overwhelmed her. We�re here to help, remember?� �You might be, brother. But, I�m not.� Mike took a deep breath, then blew it out noisily. �I thought you understood the situation. And don�t call me brother. We are brothers no longer!� �I understand perfectly. You�re purpose is to soothe her, and mine is to antagonise her.� Nick raised an arrogant eyebrow. �No! You�re not meant to be here at all. You�re lucky I didn�t eject you from the car long before we arrived.� Nick�s sarcastic smile returned. �You know you couldn�t. That�s why I�m still here.� �Unfortunately.� Mike flashed him a look of annoyance. �Well, I guess you�ll just have to make the best of it, won�t you.� Nick turned sharply and left the room. Mike came back from the bathroom along the hallway carrying a bottle of smelling salts. He moved across to the bed, opened the bottle and sat it on the nightstand. He lifted Peggy�s head slightly, then picked up the bottle and waved it under her nose. She gasped and tried to sit up. �Just lie back until you feel better, Peggy.� Mike removed his arm from under her head and laid her back against the pillow. �What...what happened?� she asked. �You fainted.� �I did?� Mike sat down on the edge of the bed. �Yes. Feeling okay?� �I guess.� She looked up at him, a sudden awareness showing on her face. �It�s true, isn�t it? You really are who you say you are.� �Yes, Peggy. I can�t lie.� �But why?� �You were in so much pain, and you were beginning to doubt your faith. I asked if I could come.� He reached out and touched her hand. The same warm, safe feeling permeated her entire body. �What about Nick. Why is he here?� �Satan will do everything he can to prevent people from returning to God. Nick is here as a hindrance to my task of guiding you back. But you�re strong, Peggy. It will be difficult for him to persuade you, and he knows that.� �Can you answer one question for me?� she asked, sliding up into a sitting position. �I�ll try.� �Will I ever see Rick again? I mean, if we don�t go to heaven, then where will we see our dead loved ones?� �One day you�ll see Rick, right here.� �How?� |