CHAPTER FOUR: THE BEAUTY OF DEATH AND THE EMOTION OF MAN

I can't believe this all started with a dream, who would have thought that one bad dream could lead to all this. Kim is still sleeping, so I decided to get close to her, hold her and think. Think about what I'm supposed to do next, about what is going to happen. All I know is that I will not tell my family anything else that has happened or will happen, their safety is everything to me. I fell asleep with Kim in my arms.

A half-hour passed and the doctor that was taking care of me waked us. "Excuse me" the doctor said in a familiar calm tone, "hello my name is Jude Reficul, I'm your doctor and it appears as if you are fully recovered, but due to standard procedures we have to do a couple of tests before you can leave" I looked over at Kim and said "I'll be back soon, you wait here" "ok" she tried to say as she yawned.

Something wasn't right, there were colors coming out of people's mouths as they breathed or talked, I guess that must be the gift Michael gave me. But the part I don't understand is, there are no colors coming out of Jude, what is that supposed to mean. My first thought was that he could be an angel but he doesn't look anything like one.

"Sit down for a moment please" Jude said with an empty stare, but he was smiling, I did what he asked without saying anything. Watching him examine me felt like I was watching a puppet, lifeless, no enthusiasm what so ever. It's weird but not really important so I just ignored his emotionless movements and stares. "We're all done here, like I said you're fully recovered", "ok, thank you" I said as I tried to fake a smile. "Here is my number if anything else is wrong don't hesitate to call," He said as he anxiously gave me the card, just then I saw a glimmer of purple emanate from him. I guess the colors only come out when they are actually feeling something, or maybe it just takes awhile to develop into seeing everyone's emotions or feelings. As I left Jude and headed back to my room where Kim was, there were colors everywhere, with every person that passed me there was a color luminating my path, it was amazing, as if they were dancing around me. I looked to my left and saw a person being slowly rolled down the hallway, from that person a burst of colors, probably the second most beautiful thing I've seen and then there was nothing, no more colors, just a silent echo.

I felt sad; I think that person just died. Something warm was gently falling down my face, I lifted my hand to touch it and it was a tear. I understand now, I understand that death is not just sadness and loss but it's also beautiful and exciting because death is just another path to take to reach salvation, to be freed from the chains and shackles known as life that is binding us to this world. So based on that I know now that that tear was not one of sadness but one of joy, joy for one that has been freed.

I reached the room and found Kim sleeping again on the bed. She must really be tired, but I think that we've been here long enough so I gave her a gentle nudge to wake her. "Hi…how was it?" she said while yawning, "it went well, I'm fully recovered" I said as I tried to hold back my tongue from telling her about seeing emotions. I faked a smile to let her know that everything is going to be okay and told her that we should probably get going, "ok" she said while stretching and reaching for her things. Before we got out of the hospital I felt a hand fall on my shoulder, I looked behind me to find Jude, smiling, saying "I'm so sorry but I almost forgot, you left your phone in my office", he handed me my phone, I said thank you and we left.

Kim was driving, she insisted, saying "you just got out of the hospital, I wont let you" I told her I was fine but I let her drive anyway. I needed some extra time to think about what I'm supposed to do next. "Tomorrow's Monday, and I haven't worked in two weeks, I have to go back or I'll be let go" I explained, knowing she was going to try to get me to stay one more day. "Ok, I understand" she said. "Alright, good" I said relieved. I'm glad that that didn't turn into an argument.

I got home and I couldn't believe how much I missed my children, it feels like I haven't seen them in months. They ran to me and gave me a hug, they didn't seem to want to let go, I didn't either. There was red coming from them mixed with yellow and orange, I'm guessing that means love, happy, and joy. This reminds me of why I can never give up, for my wife and children, I will fight for them until my last breath and ensure their safety. As they let go they both said "I missed you daddy, where'd you go" "I was….sleeping" I lied to avoid unnecessary worry from them. "Sleeping? Don't sleep anymore, I don't want u to go away again" john, my youngest said with a sad look. "John, don't be scared, I want you to know that everything I do is to protect you and if I have to leave it's to keep you safe" "ok".

It was late by the time we all walked in the door. Sleep is all I could think about now, it's a quiet and peaceful night, I can hear the crickets singing and the soft breeze of the wind. I'm pretty sure I passed out as soon as I hit the warmth of my bed. That night I dreamt of how happy I am with my family.

Morning came, I got up like I used to, got dressed, and ate with my family. I felt great, everyone is cheerful, a perfect morning. I hugged them all and left for work. As I was driving I started to wonder about Jude again, and pretty much most of that day at work. It's not that important so I just dropped it.

On my way out of the building and walking towards my car my phone started ringing. I checked the caller I.D. and it said unknown, I ignored it. A few seconds later it started ringing again so I answered it, "hello?" "Is this Dante Fierro?" A soft voice asked. "Yes, who is this" "Someone who has something you may want" "I'm not interested" I said. "Really? I'll just have to tell your wife and children that" "What are you talking about" "Listen" the man said as there was a short pause. "Say hello to your husband Kim" "Dante! Help!" Kim screamed. The screams stopped and there are faint sounds of struggling. "Do you want to change your mind, Dante" he said. "Where is my family!" "if you keep that up I promise you will never see them again" "please….I'm begging you, don't hurt them" "I'm sorry but their safety is not something that I can control, It's all up to you whether they live or die" he said. His voice is so familiar, I'm sure I've heard it before. But that doesn't matter right now; all that matters is my family's safety. "What do you want?" I said as calmly as possible. "I want you to kill a man"