The Cross Files


The Truth is out there!


For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.--Luke 12:2-3

Last time...on the The Cross Files

"You have been chosen to enter into a battle of mythic proportions. A spiritual war which began with Original Sin and shall not end until Satan is cast into a pit of fire. It is a battle for the souls of man. A battle for the world in which we live. A battle for Jesus. A battle against Satan. I make no false promises. It will be treacherous. The encounters you have had in the past twenty-four hours are just the beginning. You have free will. It is your choice. Will you do service for your King, Jordan? God has called you to action, Galilee. Will you answer Him?"

Galilee's heart was pounding so loudly she could hear it echo faintly through her thoughts. Could this really be happening? Was this man serious? Did God really have some special purpose for her, some special plan which included her involvement? Her bruised cheeks flushed with excitement at the prospect. "I gave my life to Christ years ago, Malachi. It is His to do with as He pleases. If you really believe this is what God wants for me, than I am more than willing to do whatever is asked of me."

Jordan did a quick double take at Galilee's immediate acceptance of this impossible situation. What was going on! Some strange man comes to her door only hours after she'd been beaten within an inch of her life...and Galilee agrees to enter into some insane 'battle!' This man sounded like part of some crazy Doomsday cult! "Galilee! Shouldn't you think about this first?" He whispered with a wary glance towards the large, dark man.

"What is there to think about? Yesterday, I lost my job. I have no source of income, no previous engagements which would hold me back. Yesterday, I found out my mother, father, and foster brother were murdered. No one will miss me if I die. Yesterday, I was beaten and left for dead by a being who was at the very least working for the Evil One. I'm not safe *now*. I can't see where joining this fight of Malachi's is going to make a difference. If I'm going to die, I'm going to go out swinging." She declared firmly.

Jordan's jaw set in annoyance. He barely knew this woman, but it was taking all of his self control not to oppose her. He wanted to tell her that *he* would miss her if she died. Was he crazy? He didn't know a thing about her. Or did he? He knew that after a few short hours he had come to respect and revere her like no other. Her faith was something he wanted to understand. After knowing her for less than a day, he knew he couldn't live with himself if she was injured.

His gaze shifted from Malachi to Galilee and back again. What was he supposed to do? He had a good job at the United Nations. No, scratch that. It was a great job. It was the kind of job of which people dreamed. Did they really expect him to give it up to go fight in some strange war? He was surprised when he felt a light pressure on his arm. It was Galilee's hand.

"Jordan, it's all right. I understand. I think God will, too. You've only just met me. I can't expect you to uproot your entire life because of one short encounter. I don't believe any of us will think any less of you if you turn down this offer." She whispered gently.

He stared into her brown eyes, veiled by the swelling of her eyelids. Someone had tried to hurt her. That thought frightened him. His dream...He'd dreamed of her being beaten as it was occuring. Could that have been....an act of God? The startling revelation hit him suddenly. He couldn't let anyone hurt Galilee. He didn't share her faith. He didn't share her religion...but that didn't effect the feelings he was already beginning to have for her. "You kidding? I'm always up for a challenge." He quipped with a smile before he turned back to Malachi. "Where do I sign up?"

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Since the fall of the Angel of Light, there has been an ongoing battle between Good and Evil raging in our world. We are not the warriors in this battle, but the prize. Each and every day our souls are pulled both in the direction of God and the direction of Satan. It is ultimately our decision as to where and how we proceed. But, we are not helpless in this war. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are given the power to overcome the legions of Satan, and his legions are everywhere.

We are a small, but powerful organization created to aid humanity in the war against Satan. Our directive is clear, defy the Wicked One through our testimony and the power of our faith. Our adventures are strange ones, wrought with what some might call 'paranormal' activity. However, we know better. There is nothing supernatural about Satan, or the Cross Files.

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Malachi nodded as if he had been expecting their agreement all along. "Welcome to the Fellowship." His voice was lighter. His stony expression had melted into one of warmth and congeniality.

"The Fellowship?" Jordan asked with a glance at Galilee.

"That is what we call ourselves." Malachi explained patiently. "Our organization is quite large. Although, the number is insignificant. You will never be meeting the others. I think it would be safe for me to assume that you will never be having contact with anyone other than myself. I am your..." He paused as if seeking the right word.

"Messenger." Galilee offered with a grin. "Isn't that why you call yourself Malachi? It is, after all, the Hebrew word for a messenger or an angel...and I'm assuming you aren't an angel."

Malachi chuckled. "No, Lee, I am definitely not an angel. I'm just as human as you are. But, you're right. Malachi isn't my real name. It was given to me by the Fellowship, probaby for the reason you just pointed out. I had never given it much thought before...As I was saying, I will be your messenger. Any and all contact with the Fellowship goes through me."

"I don't think I like that idea." Jordan interrupted with a scowl. "I mean, it sounds too 'cloak and dagger.' We aren't going to be doing anything illegal are we?"

"Probably not." Malachi considered the question and ammended his answer. "At least, nothing against God's laws. I would like to remind you, though, that we are to obey the law of God before we obey the laws of man. If they contradict each other, God goes first."

Jordan didn't seem convinced but waved his hand at Malachi to continue.

"You will be receiving your credentials shortly. The Fellowship has had you both classified as Private Investigators. Every so often, you will find a brown envelope with information on a new case. It will then be your responsiblity to investigate this case as you see fit. We will handle all expenses. If you need anything, you will only need to call me on my cell phone, and I will make all arrangements After a case is complete, you will find an unspecified amount of money transfered into your bank account. Your exact salary is not known, but suffice it to say, that you shall never want for money while you work with Fellowship. Do either of you have any questions?"

The duo looked at each other, shrugged simultaneously, and turned back to Malachi. Cautiously, Galilee ventured a question. "Yesterday, I was...interrogated by two men in black suits. They seemed...mechanical, and they kept asking if 'they' had contacted me yet."

Malachi's brown skin took on a gray hue. "They've threatened you already?"

Jordan swallowed hard. "I got a phone call just before you came. I think it may have been the same people. They warned me to stay away from the zealot."

"The Legion." Malachi murmured.

"The Legion?" Jordan asked in confusion. "Do you mean the American Legion, the French Foreign Legion...what?"

" 'And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.' " Galilee whispered in reply.

Malachi had regained his composure by now and seemed impressed by Galilee's observation. "I told you it was a battle. The Legion is the other side of that battle. Our enemy. The army of the Adversary."

"Satan's goons?" Jordan inquired with a hint of sarcasm.

"Some are demons and some are merely his most devout human followers." Malachi explained. "You will encounter them many times throughout your investigations. Do not fear them, they can do little to harm you."

"Yeah, right." Jordan muttered as his worried gaze shifted to Galilee. "They're not dangerous. Pussy cats. That's what they are."

"That was an unfortunate accident, Jordan. I assure you, it does not happen often." Malachi explained quickly. "The Legion is at a disadvantage. There is little they can do to a Believer if that Believer calls upon the power of Christ." A ringing from his pocket interrupted him. "Excuse me." He fished the phone from his pocket and flipped it open. "Yes, Sir?...I'm with them, now...They accept...Yes, him, too...What?" His voice held an alarmed tone that made both Galilee and Jordan tense. "I'll be right there." Malachi flipped his phone shut and turned back to them. "I'm sorry. I've really got to go. Watch your mail, your credentials and first case should be arriving shortly." With that, the large man stood up from his chair and showed himself to the door.

Galilee and Jordan sat in silence for several minutes before she broke it. "You should have turned him down." Galilee hushed voice held a venom which surprised Jordan.

"Why?"

"You're not a Believer. You have no protection against Satan. You'll be going in naked. I can't let you do it."

"I don't think you really have any say in the matter, Lee." Jordan bit back. He had to protect his manhood. "Malachi didn't ask you if you wanted to work with me. I accepted...we're partners. End of story."

She shook her head and pushed herself up from the couch. "You'll regret it, Jordan. You can't fight Satan on your own. You're powerless. You're human...and he's the devil."

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Jordan left Galilee's apartment later that afternoon with a violent anger that needed release. How dare she suggest that he wasn't fit for the job! She was the FBI agent who couldn't even defend herself from a mugger! Who was *really* the incompetent one in the partnership? It certainly wasn't him.

As was customary under such circumstances, Jordan found himself at the gym. He had to work off his fury somehow. Unlike his colleagues, he didn't enjoy frequenting the local taverns, drinking enough Tequila to fill a hot tub, and then starting a quarrel with some equally plastered drunken bum. That wasn't his style. Jordan prefered to release his anger on the bench. He could push himself so much farther with the weights when he was angry...or frustrated.

Why does she have to be so beautiful? That unexpected thought almost caused him to drop the weights on his chest. Wait, I'm supposed to be angry with her, not thinking about how beautiful she is...but, she is beautiful. He lifted the bar back into its holders and sat up. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he sighed heavily. "All right, God, I've never really had a conversation with you before...but if Galilee puts that much stock in you and your abilities, you can't be all that bad." He looked around the empty weight room self-consciously. He didn't like the idea of someone walking in on him while he was talking to himself. Of course, Galilee would have probably reprimanded him for such behavior. "I just don't understand what's going on...I mean, I just met her. Why can't I get her off my mind? Why does she have to think so little of me?"

"You should have taken my advice while you still could, Jordan." The deep, ominous voice echoed through the empty room and interrupted his prayer.

"Who? What?" He swiveled, looking for the source of the voice. A man stood just inside the doorway. He was dressed completely in black with dark sunglasses covering his eyes from view. The man took a few steps toward him, his lips curled in a cruel smile.

"You should have listened to the zealot. You're not safe anymore, Jordan. No one can save you now..."

Jordan yelped as he felt someone grab his arms and slam him backwards against the seat. Two more men were now holding him steady against the bench as the other man slid a pair of brass knuckles onto his hands. "No one can save you now, Jordan. You're ours."

"Think again, buddy."

Jordan's eyes opened wide at the familiar voice. "Lee?" He struggled to sit up and find the source of that voice, but he could not fight the strength of those men.

The leader turned abruptly to face the doorway, his mouth now pulled back in a sneer. "You! You think you can stop us? You're no match for us, Gilchrist. You never were."

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but you can never hurt me." She chanted as she advanced on the dark trio. " 'Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.' You cannot hurt me. I do not fear you."

The man took a step away from her. Jordan could feel the slightest tremor in the hands of those holding him.

"What do you think you're doing?" The man hissed.

"I am taking up my cross and following Him. I am donning the 'whole armour of God,' the 'shield of faith,' the 'sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' If I were you, I'd leave while I still had a leg on which to stand."

"You have no power of us, Gilchrist." One of Jordan's captors ventured in a voice tinged with fear.

"Perhaps. But, I know Someone who does. I'm sure you're acquainted the Son of God, aren't you?" Galilee asked as her swollen, bloodied lips turned up in a triumphant smile. "Be gone with you."

The lights in the room flashed off for a brief moment. Jordan felt the hands let go of his wrists just seconds before the lights came back on to a reveal a room empty, save for the presence of Galilee and Jordan.

Jordan sat up slowly, rubbing at his wrists. "How did you know the Legion would come after me?"

"You're not a Believer. You're not under Christ's protection. They can harm you all they like. I thought they might make an attempt to frighten. So...I followed you here. I'm sorry about what I said. You just have to understand that I don't want you getting hurt...especially when you're not a Christian."

He fell silent. Her words were slowly sinking into his mind. She was worried about his safety. "Give me time, Galilee. I need to think this Christianity thing through. I'm not making any promises, but if its even half as wonderful as you make it out to be...I don't see how I can stay away forever."

Galilee smirked. "It's twice as wonderful as I make it out to be, Jordan. Nothing can compare. Now, would you go put on some clothes." She quipped as she tossed him a clean towel from the bin. He was sitting on that exercise equipment in gym shorts with no shirt on his sweaty, finely muscled upper torso. It was terribly disconcerting. She hardly wanted to have a theological discussion with him while she was so painfully aware of his good looks.

Jordan quirked an eyebrow at the look on her face. She was uncomfortable. Why? His chin dipped to touch his chest as he glanced down at his attire. Oh. That's why. No shirt. He should have known. "Sure thing." He stopped at the door to the locker room. "Hey, Galilee? When do you think we'll get our first assignment?"

"I think we'll get it when God and the Fellowship feel we're ready for one. I'll wait for you in the lobby. Oh, and Jordan?"

"Yes?"

"Take a shower while you're in there. You smell like gym socks."

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"Sir, you made a wonderful choice. Galilee and Jordan are well on their way to being a dynamic duo."

"They have much to learn before they are prepared for true combat, Malachi."

"Perhaps, but they passed your test didn't they? Galilee's faith is strong enough for the both of them."

"At the moment. Jordan will have to take the final step. Galilee cannot carry the burden of belief by herself forever. She will have to convince Jordan of the Truth."

"Another test?"

"She's up to the challenge."

"When I do give them the information for their first case?"

"Soon, Malachi. Soon."

To be continued....

Coming Soon!

Episode 4
Galilee and Jordan are given their first assignment. Together, they must investigate the career of a politician and trace the true source of his popularity. The Evil One will oppose them at every turn. This is one soul he's marked as his own.

Feel free to email me with any comments you might have!
Bethany--Ottiga@aol.com