Something's better than nothing

Things felt different this morning waking up, add in the fact that I was actually sleeping well the past few days and I’d say it was actually a good morning for once.

Picked up Jessie from the church. Pastor Scott walker her over to my truck and handed me a medium sized box wrapped in black felt. He then put his hand on my shoulder and said.

“Just because you don’t believe in God, doesn’t mean he won’t have your back you need him. Be safe kid.”

I seriously felt my throat tighten when he said this to me and for the life of me I don’t know why.

Jessie was really excited about telling me all the things she did while at the lock-in. Seeing her this happy made me almost forget what was going on. It also made me wish our parents were still around to see her grow up, the thought made me teary eyed so I stopped thinking about it.

When we got home, Jessie went to her room and started unpacking and began her normal routine. (Which equated to her just playing video games.) I immediately went to work on the box the pastor gave me, there was defiantly more than just my ammo inside by the feel.

Well, talk about a gift box for the exorcist. Inside was my ammo, a small vial of what I assumed was holy water, a sealed vial labeled: red wine, three communion wafers, and two medallions (“The Soldier’s Prayer” and “Prayer of Confession”). There was also a short letter from the pastor.

Zane,

I can only guess what you are going through that you would come to me with this request. I believe that this was not about your own well being, but about Jessica’s. Whatever you plan to do, I won’t stop you. Just remember, actions have consequences. You’re all she’s got left too. I’m sure your parents would be proud to see how well you’ve cared for her.

With the love of the lord,

Pastor Scott

PS. Know that no matter the struggle, you need not face it alone.

As odd as it sounds, the letter made me feel somewhat more at ease with things. Just knowing that I’d have someone to vent to who wouldn’t judge me, that alone could keep a person awake.

I carved crosses into the tips of the blessed ammo. I did a little research and found that both holy water and crosses have had some kind of effect on this thing. So putting them together on a lethal piece of lead should do something. Right?

Anyway, Jessie starts school tomorrow, I have some work to get done, and altogether this coming week looks somewhat normal.

Atheistic Irony

Been just over a week since our little scare with Mr. Long Pale and Creepy. I’ve been staying up to watch over Jessie at night and sleeping during the day. (I’ve always been a bit of a night owl since I graduated so no real change.) I cannot believe the amount of mint tea that I have burned through in the past week, beats Mt. Dew because it’s actually decent for my health. But still, holy crap load of empty tea boxes.

In other news, dogs from around the neighborhood were going missing. They found them, in the woods, butchered. The police think it’s some cult activity based on the symbols painted on the nearby trees in the dog’s blood. (You can already guess what symbol.) The possibility of cult activity in the town has our pastor concerned.

Speaking of religion in general, I may not be a religious person but my sister still attends church as well as its youth group. She has an end of the summer lock-in coming up and I needed to get some things done without her being in the house. I’m counting on “God’s house” to protect her while I get things ready. But first, I had a favor to ask of Pastor Scott.

I took Jessie to the church and went in with her. I sent her on her way and went with the pastor to his office. Now, a bit of history on Pastor Scott, he’s a military Chaplain who served in the same unit as my father so we know each other pretty well. I know that anything I say stays with him, no questions.

I told him ahead of time that I’d be coming to see him and that I had a bit of an odd request of him. I sort of explained my situation to him. I basically said I had some “demons” that needed taken care of. I half expected him to question my mention of demons and me being atheist but he didn’t. I fully expected him to protest when I requested that he bless my ammo. (I know I’m fucking nuts I get it.) But he surprised me again by simply nodding and asking if I had them with me. We went out to my car and moved the ammo from mine to his. He told me to pick them up on Sunday when I pick Jessie up from the lock-in.

I’m home now and I have some planning to do and some calls to make.

I’ll update when I pick up Jessie on Sunday.