4-03-2024 11:40pm

Chapter 57: The Battle..."Deceptions in the Air"

Beth Callahan Editor

Cover by Peter Poast Publications with Photo by Junior Cruz

Similar to what newspapers in the 19th Century did the www.warrencountypost.com. will publish a chapter a day from the book Deceptions in the Air. This fictional book is a blend of reality and conspiracy with a mix of Biblical Prophecy. My hope is that you enjoy the story, while it puts a desire in your heart to seek Truth.

Chapter 57: The Battle

Being the first time that Jack and Bri were alone together since he had confessed his feeling towards her... and Alex had returned into their lives, the atmosphere in the room was a little awkward.

“Jack, are you okay?” Bri asked breaking the silence.

“I was just going to ask you that?”

“Yeah... I’m okay,” she smiled.

“Me too,” Jack tried to smile.

Both stood outside the door for a few seconds, not adding anything else to their superficial conversation. Neither had brought up what had happened earlier in the day when Jack had shared his feelings for her. But now, Alex was back in the picture and an uneasiness was building up between the two.

“I’m going to make some coffee. Would you like a cup?” Bri asked.

Jack shook his head no, still not saying anything, for he didn’t know what to say.

“I wish I hadn’t given that pack of cigarettes away,” Jack mumbled to himself.

“When did you buy cigarettes?” Bri asked.

“Earlier today. And, why do you need to know? You don’t own me!”

Bri put the coffee pot down and began rubbing her hands together as she tried to pull her thoughts together. “Jack, I know we need to talk. I just… I don’t… I am like… on this emotional overload. I don’t even know what to think right now. I am so confused. I am…”

“Bri, you don’t have to say anything. I understand. It’s written all over your face,” Jack said.

“What’s written on my face?”

“Your feelings... toward Weirdo Science Guy!”

“Jack, this is so unfair. What you did to me today was cruel!” Bri spurted out while pointing her finger into his face.

“How the hell can sharing your feelings of love for someone be cruel? My God you’re acting like I raped you!”

“I am not! That’s the stupidest thing I think I have ever heard you say!”

“No... it’s not! I have said a lot more stupider things!”

“What? … You’re right, for THAT was the stupidest thing you have ever said!!!”

“NO! It’s not!” he yelled, getting his face into her face.

“I hate you!” Bri yelled.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Russ came running into the kitchen. “What is going on with you two?”

“Stay out of this Russ!” Jack demanded, pushing past Russ as he headed out the front door slamming it behind him.

Russ gave a quick shot over to Bri, who quickly bolted past him to head out the door after Jack.

As she ran toward the end of the driveway, Bri called out to Jack several times. Her body began to quiver when she could not find him anywhere.

“Over here,” Jack mumbled.

Turning to where she heard the voice, she saw Jack standing at the corner of the house next to the broken bay window.

“Jack, I didn’t mean that. I don’t hate you… I definitely don’t hate you. I’m just… I’m…,” she started tearing up. “I don’t know what I am.”

“I’m sorry. I was pushing you into making decisions that I’m not even sure I understand about myself.”

Looking at her ever so sweetly, he smiled. “I just know I love you and don’t ever want to live life without you being a part of it… Can I at least hug my babe?”

Bri nodded yes as she held onto him just as tightly as he held onto her. Slowly Jack released his hold.

“Hey, let’s go in and get that cup of coffee you were going to make and see what’s happening with …” Jack took a deep breath before finishing the rest of his sentence, “your husband, Alex.”

Bri still unable to talk in fear she might cry, smiled and shook her head in agreement. As the two walked in the door, the doctor was coming out of the den where Alex was resting.

“Mrs. Jones,” the doctor said.

Bri didn’t acknowledge her.

“Mrs. Jones?” She asked again with Bri still not responding.

“Bri, you’re ah... Mrs. Jones,” Jack said, nudging Bri as he passed her on his way to the kitchen singing rather quietly, “Me eee and Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, we got a thing going on…”

“Oh, my gosh. I am,” she said, embarrassed first giving Jack a dirty look before turning to give the doctor her full attention. “We’ve only been married since, um … Friday, I think… I forgot that is my name.”

“Yes. I know. My husband and I were actually there watching the two of you exchange your vows on the beach,” Dr. Le Claire sweetly smiled adding, “little did I know you two were the friends that Russ had put on the prayer chain for divine protection.”

Slowly the doctor’s face faded from a sweet smile to a very serious look as she asked Brianna to come into the den with her where she could give her Alex’s prognosis.

Bri walked in and sat down next to Alex who gave her an awkward smile. “You didn’t even know you’re Mrs. Jones… that you’re my wife,” Alex softly said.

“Alex, I forgot,..” Bri stopped herself in mid-sentence realizing that didn’t sound right.

“Alex,” Dr. Le Claire interrupting his and Bri’s conversation. “That is a very common mistake with women when they first get married. Remember, for the past 20 to 30 years, Bri has been going by a different name, then all of a sudden after an ‘I do’, her name changed. And, you and Brianna have been through much more than most normal couples in their first 24- hours. So, don’t get hung up on that faux pas. I need all your energy used on battling this infection. Okay?”

Bri nervously reached over to give Alex her hand. “I promised you for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, and in sickness or in health.”

Alex gently placed a soft kiss onto Bri’s hand as he wrapped his hand around hers. “I was supposed to be taking care of you. Not you taking care of me.”

“I charge extra for marriage counseling,” the doctor said with a wink and a smile.

“Well, since I might be without work for a while, we can’t afford a lot of bills so we better get into why you called us in here,” Alex said.

Dr. Le Claire’s smile faded.

“Alex you’re very sick. I don’t know if the poison running in your blood stream is from the chip you removed, or infection from the knife you used to cut it out with, or it can be something airborne you contacted while at the ocean. Considering how bad your finger looks, I think it is most likely from the knife.”

The doctor continued giving more of her attention to Bri as she added, “I did not see any chip left in his finger, but Alex thinks he remembers a small portion of it being cut open when he was using the knife to get it out.”

“How do we find out which it is?” Bri said looking very worried for Alex.

“That’s the big problem. Since, I can’t take his blood work to the hospital to find out, I’m going to have to guess on how to treat him. From what I have read concerning the chip, I didn’t think they had any deadly poisonous side effects, but Alex thinks otherwise. I think they are made to make a person deathly ill, so they would have to seek medical attention. Then, once these chips become mandated for everyone to have one, anybody who tries to remove it, will basically turn themselves in when seeking medical help.”

“So, what exactly is our plan?” Bri asked.

“We will keep giving him a strong antibiotic, clean up this wound and pray... which is probably the first thing we should be doing,” the doctor smiled.

As Bri and the doctor spoke, Alex kept his eyes on Bri wondering if he would ever get to be with the real woman he loved.

Noticing his stare, Bri stopped and asked, “What is it Alex?”

“It’s just hard for me to believe you’re still here,” Alex explained.

About then, Russ knocked on the door. “Hey, is it okay if Jack and I come in yet?”

Bri, Alex and Dr. LeClaire all agreed it was okay.

“It’s time that we start working on stopping this project. Reports are coming in from all over about strange weather patterns across the globe. By bringing all these natural disasters upon this earth at once like this, people are searching for answers. Thus, this would be a perfect time for them to launch the hologram gods,” Russ explained.

“Russ, can we all gather and pray before we start all of this. Pray for Alex health… wisdom for us… a hedge of protection… and a spirit of cooperation?” Bri asked.

“That would be an excellent way to start what we must finish.” Russ reached his hand out towards Brianna and the doctor. The doctor reached her other hand out towards Jack as Bri reached her hand out towards Alex’s.

Jack, struggling to smile, looked at Alex and said “Okay, Weirdo the Science Guy, give me your hand.”

Alex, unsure why Jack was calling him that, reached up and took Jack’s hand and said, “Thanks. I think.”

As the circle was formed, the five bowed their heads while Russ prayed to the God above for wisdom, strength, perseverance, protection, health, guidance and the spirit of cooperation.

“And in this we pray in the name of Jesus, Amen,” Russ concluded.