Sorry this has taken so long to post up. I haven't written my stories in a while. Let me know what you think about the sermon and the song in your review.
Chapter 5
Amanda's P.O.V
We, Owen's family and I, rushed in to catch the 9:00 service.
"Sorry, Amanda. I thought the desire to know what happened would overtake his distaste of attending Church. I guess I was wrong." Mr. Reynolds confessed.
" CEO ?" I asked. "That'll sometimes do it."
"CEO." Mr. Reynolds confirmed. "Three please." The usher lead us into the middle of the congregation and pointed to a row of three empty seats. An elderly couple stood up, allowing us to pass. I nodded my appreciation on my way to the seat.
The woman and her husband must have been in their young eighties.
"I would like to take the time to thank those who have joined us here today at North Hampton's Presbyterian House of God this fine Sunday. Whether you are a regular member, a guest, or a person attending church for the first time, your attendance is greatly appreciated. I would like you to take a few moments to say hello to the people around you," the pastor began. I turned around as was stunned to see Flint Forrester.
"Flint? What are you doing here?" I asked as I shook his hand.
"Amanda! Hey. I'm here for a special service," Flint mentioned shaking my hand.
"You go to church?" I blurted out.
"Of course. Where else do you think I got my excellent morals? Steal from the rich and give to the poor."
"We'll talk after service," I insisted, turning around to face the pastor.
"Now, normally our band would get up here and sing songs of worship. However, our plans are a little different today. Yesterday I received a friendly email from my cousin, Mark Reynolds, notifying me that a Mr. Mike Fukanaga went missing Friday. I would like the congregation to join me in prayer as we pray for Mike's safety and return. Dear God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we call upon your name in times of worship and tribulation. Today we call upon you in the latter. A Mr. Mike Fukanaga went missing Friday and we ask, regardless of what happens, that your will be done here on Earth. We may not know why this happened, we may be discouraged and lose faith in you, we may even fall into a deep state of depression and struggle through life, but we pray you will be praised in the aftermath of Mike's kidnapping. You are worthy of praise always. I pray you would work through the lives of Amanda McKay, Owen Reynolds, Laura and Mark Reynolds, Martin Fukanaga, and any others who are silently grieving the loss of Mike. May you comfort, counsel, and enlighten them with your plan. God, I pray all of this in your holy name. Amen," The pastor prayed.
After the band played songs of worship, the pastor's assistant read some Bible verses from Job, Flint's two-week old brother was baptized, and the pastor gave a long sermon involving God's plan for us, things were finally drawing to a close.
"Normally, our band would play a final goodbye song and then everyone would leave. That will not happen tonight. You will leave though, don't worry. Due to special circumstances, we will only have one performer closing. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you singer/songwriter Julie Derrevo." The pastor introduced. My jaw dropped in surprise. What was she doing here?!
Julie walked out on stage. She wore a sparkling green dress that matched her eyes, gold hooped earrings that matched golden brown hair, and heels that probably added an extra 2''to her.
"Hey, I'm Julie and I had a personal relationship with Mike. I was overcome with grief when I heard about his disappearance, but thought more about his friends, Amanda McKay and Owen Reynolds. I would like to dedicate this song to them."
I can see the pain you're in
Thoughts haunting you day and night
Losing hope as time goes by
And not a clue in sight
You're going through a hard time
And there's nowhere to hide
Pain has got you on the wall
But you have Jesus on your side
And like a plant that finds the light
Like a wave that comes to shore
Like a mountain that reaches the sky
Everything is part of something more
There is more to your pain
There is more to your fears
And when you seek the answers
God will wipe away your tears
I can't imagine how you're feeling
Losing a person in your heart
Not knowing where he is
Would just tear me apart
You're living in a scary time
And there's no path to run
Darkness is closing in
But you've got God's one and Only Son
And like a plant that finds the light
Like a wave that comes to shore
Like a mountain that reaches the sky
Everything is part of something more
There is more to your pain
There is more to your fears
And when you seek the answers
God will wipe away your tears
There's no reason for pain
There's no reason for fear
'Cause when you find, when you find God
The answers will be there
And like a plant that finds the light
Like a wave that comes to shore
Like a mountain that reaches the sky
Everything is part of something more
There is more to your pain
There is more to your fears
And when you seek the answers
God will wipe away your tears
Like a plant
Like a wave
Like a mountain
Everything is part of something more
And when you seek the answers
God will wipe away your tears
God will wipe away
God will wipe away
God will wipe away your tears
Wipe away your tears
Wipe away your tears."
The congregation roared in approval as hundreds gave Julie a standing ovation, myself included. I had to hand it to Julie. She did a wonderful job expressing my feelings and giving me hope. Finally, the applause stopped.
"Thank you, Julie, for that wonderful song. Goodbye everybody," the pastor saluted.
I told Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds I was going to talk to Flint and that I would meet them back at the car.
"That's fine. I'll let you know when we need to go. I'm going to talk to my cousin," Mr. Reynolds acknowledged. I then turned around.
"Time for the talk, Flint," I ordered, "Let's do it somewhere quiet." I lead Flint out and ushered him downstairs.
"First off, congratulations on your brother's baptism. And secondly, our dojo is in danger of closing. We need another recruit. Would you please join us?"
"Gladly."
"Great. Meet me at McKinley high school Tuesday at 2:30 sharp. You can't be late."
"I'll be there."
Time leap to Tuesday 2:35
"Where are we going, Amanda?" Flint asked annoyed. I had blindfolded him and was taking him to ninja practice. We were headed through the tunnels that would lead to our dojo.
"I wish I could tell you, but I can't. Our location must remain secret to others until a high level of trust is formed. Until then, I can't show you the place," I explained. Once we reached ninja practice, I took off his and Connor's blindfold.
"We're here, Hologramps. And we brought recruits," Owen shouted.
"I see your dedication to Mike is most strong. Now may the hardest training of your lives begin," Hologramps voiced appearing out of nowhere.
No One's P.O.V.
In a place known only to the author, a Japanese American teenager named Mike Fukanaga awoke with a start. Mike was alive.
Finally am finished with the first episode. I have decided to title it Recruits. Will post up the second episode sooner than this.
Qg8#