Chapter 14

"Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our tribulation so

we can comfort them who are in trouble."

(2 Corinthians 1:34)

"He was taken up to paradise and heard unspeakable words."

(2 Corinthians 12:4)

The next day, Alvin and the others went out once again, thinking that Dale would like some time to himself. They went out for lunch, then went to go see a movie.

"That was fun," Gadget said. "We should do it more often."

"I agree," Simon stated.

Alvin raced ahead of the others. He entered the house. As he did so, his foot stepped in something wet. He looked down to see a red liquid on the floor. Something wet hit his cap. He looked up to see Dale's body suspended by a rope tied around the chipmunk's throat. "Help!" he screamed. "Somebody help me!"

The end of the rope was tied to a nail hanging from the wall.

Dale's spirit watched as the group carefully got his body to the floor. Someone called 911 and an ambulance drove his body to the nearest hospital.

Later, Dale's spirit watched as his friends gathered around his hospital bed. He heard someone continually calling his name. He turned to see someone motioning him to follow.

Dale stepped out into the hall. A group of doctors led him down a long hallway. As they went down it, the hallway got darker and darker until it was too dark to see.

Dale was suddenly kicked in the back, thus sending him facefirst into the floor. The doctors turned into what Dale assumed were demons, who began to torment him by striking him, biting him, and yanking on his limbs and fur. The little chipmunk was paralyzed with fear. This was true torture compared to what his father had done to him, which didn't seem significant at all at the the moment.

Dale was kicked in the stomach, knocking him onto his back. Another demon kicked Dale in the chest, which literally knocked the breath out of him. He couldn't breathe.

A warm feeling erupted in his heart. He heard a soft, gentle voice state, "Cry out to Jesus." He was desperate for any kind of Scripture that would help him. Let's see, he thought. "Call upon the Lord and He will deliver you," the voice declared.

"Where's your God now?" a demon shrieked in Dale's ear. He laughed and jumped on Dale's stomach, causing the chipmunk to groan in pain.

"Lord, deliver me from this place of torment," Dale cried.

A bright light appeared, blinding Dale and causing the demons to shriek in fear and flee. Dale began floating upwards toward the light. He felt as if someone or something was pulling him toward the light.

As he got closer to the light, a figure appeared, which got clearer as he neared it. The figure was a white man with long brown hair and a brown goatee. He had brown eyes and wore a white-as-snow robe.

When he got close to the man, the man took Dale in his arms and held him like an infant. Dale felt warm, safe, and secure. More than anything, he felt loved. In his mind, he imagined the love that he was feeling was fattening him up, expanding his stomach and shortening his legs until he became so fat he exploded. That, of course, didn't happen. Now all he needed was a bottle of milk and he'd be completely content.

As if reading his mind, Jesus grabbed a baby bottle of milk from the side and began bottle-feeding the chipmunk. The milk was warm and sweet, as if it'd been mixed with honey. The warm milk heated Dale's entire belly. He could've easily made a living off this beverage, if possible.

Jesus stroked Dale's belly with his finger as the chipmunk continued to chug on the milk. He lovingly storked Dale's head. "You're safe with me," he declared.

Dale's toes curled as he drank more of the milk. He wanted more. He had to have more! He couldn't stop after just one.

"You have two choices, Dale," Jesus said. "You can stay here, or you can return, but you don't have to return."

Oh, man, Dale thought. He didn't want to return, but he knew he had to. Then again, he didn't want to leave, but he knew he had to. He was almost done with his milk, which meant that he was almost out of time. With one final swig, he finished off the milk. Jesus pried the nipple from Dale's mouth and set the nursing bottle aside.

"I sense something is wrong," Jesus said. "What's troubling you, my child?"

"I'd just like to know where you were during the most troubling times of my life," Dale said.

"My son, I never left you or forsook you. I've always been with you. During the most troubling times of your life, those were the times that I carried you. Do you love me, Dale?"

"Of course I love you," Dale replied. "You've loved me unlike anyone else. Your love for me is extraordinary!"

"Who do you say I am?"

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

"Do you really believe that, Dale?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then, you are saved, for it is written: 'If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.'"

"What are your plans for me?"

"I would suggest that you return, even though you don't have to. Your friends need you. Besides, you still have a purpose to fulfill."

"But what is my purpose, Lord?"

"In due time, my child. Right now you need to get your life straightened out."

"But how do I do that?"

"You've already taken a step in the right direction. Commit your life to Me and I'll show you how to get your life changed around. You can overcome all obstacles through Me, but remember that I will never test you above anything you're able to bear or do."

Dale descended from the King's throne and back to his body just as a doctor was doing another shock on his body to bring him back to life.

"He's back," a female red fox stated. She looked a lot like Tommy; she had light beige fur from her cheeks to her rump. The only difference between her and her supposed brother was that she had a rounder head. She and the doctor left the room.

"Welcome back," Colin said to Dale. "We thought we'd lost you for a minute there."

"What are you doing here?" Dale asked.

"Alvin called us," Colin explained.

"Us?" Dale echoed.

"Erik and me. We cam to check up on you."

"Oh. So where is your boyfriend?"

"He's down at the vending machines getting something to eat and drink." He chuckled. "Typical Erik. Always hungry."

"Where are the others?"

"They've gone home. They told us to call them when you came to."

"Now, I'm confused. Why are you and Erik in a Christian band if you're not Christian?"

"We're good friends of Theodore's. We just did it to help him out."

"Have you ever considered giving your life over to Christ, 'cause I just did, and I've never felt more alive."

"Theodore suggested the same thing to both me and Erik when he found out that we were lovers."

Erik entered the room with a bag of Funyuns and a bottle of Coca-Cola.

"I hate to leave you, but we've got to get going," Colin said to Theodore. He walked over to Erik and led the skunk out of the room.

The next day, Foxglove and Theodore visited Dale. However, only one visitor was allowed in the room at one time, so they had to go in separetely. Theodore went in first while Foxglove waited outside for her turn.

Theodore set his backpack at Dale's feet. "You're looking well," he said.

"Thanks," Dale replied. He told Theodore about his near-death experience.

"Looks like God finally got your attention, eh?" Theodore said.

Dale nodded in agreement, smiling.

"I brought you some stuff, you know to keep you busy." He unzipped one of the pockets of his book bag an took out a Bible, a CD player, and a CD. "This CD is our demo CD," he explained. "I gave a copy to Ian."

"Thanks," Dale repeated.

"I should get going. I've got homeowrk to do." He left the room.

Foxglove entered the room. "I've really missed you," she said. She rubbed her cheek on Dale's chest.

"Same here," Dale agreed as he petted her head. He kissed her crown. "I love you."

"Miss Foxglove," a voice called.

They both turned to see the red fox from yesterday.

"I realize that you just got in here, but I'm sorry. You'll have to leave," the red fox said. "Visting hours are over at four o' clock."

"Sleep tight, my love," Foxglove said.

"Till tomorrow, my dear," Dale replied. He watched her go.

"I'm Rita," the red fox told Dale. "Rita Landow. I may look familiar to you because my brother's in the band Sanctified."

"Yes, that's right," Dale agreed. "How did you know?"

"Isaw it on TV. Plus, he's been talking about it nonstop for weeks."

"I see."

"Can I get you anything?"

"Milk would be nice."