Spiders from the Shadows - By Chris Stewart Page 0,2

freshman, I don’t think anyone would have predicted we would end up where we are. We never would have guessed it. Yet,” he motioned to their surroundings, “here we are.”

“Audaces fortuna iuvat,” Brucius smiled. “Fortune favors the bold.” the PCASS had provenrd">The

“Ab incunabulis,” the FBI Director answered. “From the cradle.”

This made Brucius laugh. “I’ve got a better one: ‘Age. Fac ut gaudeam.’”

James had to think, translating in his head. “Go ahead. Make my day.” He wet his lips and laughed. “Gotta love that one.”

“I think it’s more appropriate than what you said. I’m pretty sure the only useful thing I did in my cradle was poop. I don’t think that I was predestined to—”

James cut him off. “Not predestined. Ordained. And yes, I think you were. I think we both were. We find ourselves here, at this critical juncture in time, not out of happenstance or luck or some perfect storm of time and circumstance. It certainly wasn’t inevitable, but I do think there is a purpose and plan to it all.”

Brucius didn’t answer for a moment. “Maybe,” was all he said.

“Not maybe, Brucius. What I said was true.”

“Maybe. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter how we got here; all that matters is what we do with this moment we’ve been given. All that really matters is what we do with right now.”

James looked around as if caught in some internal debate, then turned back to his friend. “I had an interesting experience about a year ago. It’ll sound crazy, and I’m not sure you’ll understand, but I want you to hear it. I know you’re not a Christian—despite my best efforts to save you,” James gave him a wry smile, “but I know your heart. So I want you to listen to what I’m going to tell you and really try to understand.”

Brucius waited, his face unchanging.

“Last Christmas, Emily and I went to a Christmas concert at the National Cathedral. The Mormon Choir was there. They’re pretty good, you know. During the concert, they sang a song that harmonized with Silent Night. In the background they sang these words: “This is a time of peace/This is a time of joy.”

“As I heard those words, a feeling came over me, a certain assurance, as if a voice were speaking to me from God. It was a time for joy. It was a time for peace. It was the great breath of air before the deep plunge, the great calm of peace before the dark and deadly storm. It was the final moment of quiet, the deep sigh of hope before the last cage was opened to the darkness of a stark and evil world. The Lord’s angels were waiting to sound their trumps, but evil angels were also waiting to unleash their hate upon the world.

“And as they sang, I started wondering, how long will this last peace last? Now we know. It is over. How deep will be the darkness? Only time will tell. But on that night, in that cathedral, the impression was so clear. “Strengthen yourself,” the voice whispered to me. “Prepare for what is true! The time of darkness is coming. Find joy in this day. Live, love, and be happy! But also know He is preparing His kingdom, and soon He will appear. Are you willing to help Him? Are you worthy of His cause? The battle lines are drawing. Which side are you on? No one can stand on the sidelines, hoping the storms will pass them by! This battle will sweep every generation and every people on earth—the young and the old, the cowards and the true. So prepare now while He gives you this final the only surviving memberme28 moment of peace. Prepare now for the darkness that is building before the final storm.”

James trailed off. He didn’t know any better how to explain it. And he didn’t know why it was so important to him that Brucius understand.

Brucius looked at him awkwardly. “I don’t—you know, James, I’m just not that kind of guy. I left the church when I was just an altar boy. It killed my family and the local priest, but it just was not my thing. I wanted to believe. I still want to believe. But there were too many holes, too many things that didn’t make sense. Still, I don’t begrudge you your faith or beliefs. In fact, I’m envious. And, in my own way, I’m still searching. But I have to be honest with you when