I was taking a walk with my master when I saw what was in the lake. I really wasn't expecting anything startling to happen. I was just enjoying my day out. The breeze smelled sweet, the grass cool and soft. Definitely not a day when weird things were supposed to happen. My master decided that it was time to rest. So I sat down beside him and kept watch, like I'd been trained, as he dozed. I was sort of hoping that I would see Faith on her morning walk. But no such luck so far.

            Then I saw the lake. It seemed to look extra clear and silent today. I walked to the edge and gazed at myself, careful not to fall in. I saw myself staring back at me. I couldn't grin, but I felt a smile inside, seeing my eyes sparkle with the water.

            Suddenly, my face blurred in the reflection. Ripples were spreading all over. I looked about but saw no one around besides my master, and he was in dreamland.

            Then what looked like a long slimy hand reached out of the water. I had barely time to gasp when it grabbed me and pulled me under. I could feel myself in icy-cold water. I could barely see a thing, but a dark fuzzy shape, about my size, was pulling me down, down.

            Just as I almost lost my air, the hand freed its grasp and I fell through an air bubble, landing on my stomach and losing my breath.

            When my breath was returned to me, I looked up and saw something out of a horror movie. Six bizarre creatures looked back at me. They looked somewhat like beagles except the paws were not paws. They were human hands and their backs had a long line of spikes down to the tail.

            Now I was always one who thought the English language sounded funny, but my dear mother (God rest her soul) always told me to learn it. "It's a very popular language these days, and it will still be in the future. You'll thank me later." Anyway, one creature (supposedly the leader?) started speaking English to me *sigh* Thanks, Mom…

            "So you have come."

            "Me?" I asked timidly, even though I knew he meant me.

            He ignored the question. "You have come to save us right? You are the promised one?"

            "The what?" Had I heard him wrong?

The speaker turned to the beagle on his right and I could sense some doubt.

            The creature appeared to be blushing. They exchanged no words but seemed to understand each other, as if telepathic. I sensed embarrassment with the victim, more anger with the leader, and more cringing from his thoughts.

            The right beagle finally spoke aloud. "Perhaps he should ask the computer, Gabriel…"

            Gabriel exploded. I am being completely literal. He actually exploded, he was so angry. All that was left was a small crater. But then a blurred figure came into view. Gabriel reappeared before my eyes from the spot where he had just disappeared.

            Gabriel shook his head vigorously and then spoke, "Not the time…" He turned back to his victim. "You, of course, will be demoted."

            I didn't want the poor guy to get in trouble because of me. So I spoke up.

            "Ahem! Perhaps I can talk to this computer." Did I really say that? What was I getting myself into?

            Gabriel surprisingly looked relieved. "Yes. Perhaps that is a good idea. It might be just what it wants."

            Gabriel turned to another beagle. "Go ask the computer if it shall speak to the so called 'promised one'. Come back quickly with its answer." I could not only sense but hear the dripping sarcasm in his words.

            As the beagle disappeared out of sight, Gabriel looked over me. "Well you certainly look like the promised one should," he admitted unwillingly. "Have you been doing athletic exercises?"

            "You mean working out?" I couldn't resist. "All the time. Running does a lot for…"

            "Yes, as you call it," he interrupted. "And do you know naught of what you are? Are you familiar with God or Jesus?"

            "God is the Creator, am I right? He sent his son Jesus to die for all mankind or something like that…"

            Gabriel then smiled. "Ah, so you do know SOMEthing," he said, once again, mockingly. "Who is your master on earth?"

            "You mean his name? Paul."

            Gabriel gasped and fell backwards. I quickly stood up. I could hear him coughing in the back.

            "Gabe? Are you okay? Do you need some help?"

            I saw a hand, and then Gabriel appearing from behind the rock.

            "Sorry. I thought (cough) you said (wheeze) Paul!"

            I felt a little uncomfortable. "I did say Paul. Is there something special about him being my master?"

            Gabriel cringed and opened his mouth to speak. But before he could say anything, the messenger beagle came back.

            "The computer wishes to speak with the promised one."

            Gabriel immediately stopped coughing after the beagle finished speaking. He turned to me and said, "You may go see the computer now."

            Oh dear. Here it comes. Why did I have to walk to THAT park on THIS day at THIS hour…before I walked through I turned to Gabriel and asked, "Who is this computer guy?"

            Gabriel gave a loving smile and said one word. "Jehovah."