Chapter 11
DANIEL WOKE THE NEXT MORNING without even remembering when, where, or how he fell asleep. Strange. He just because lucid and opened his eyes so he recognized he slept. He sat up and moaned. He was sore. It must be because of the thin mat he lied on top of on the hard and rocky earth. He glanced around and observed how he was in a tent.
How did he get here? Where was he for that matter? Also, where was Erin? What about Adora and Caleb? What happened?
If he fell asleep and woke, he now knew it wasn't just a dream. After all, he wasn't in the habit of remembering a dream in a dream and then waking up from it. No, this was either real, and the BTTM was a success, or it was one incredible hallucination. He leaned more to the real angle, however.
He got to his feet and felt a draft when he moved and never mind something biting into his feet. He looked downward and noticed how he now wore sandals and not just sandals, he wore very antiquated, uncomfortable sandals. If he really was back in the times of John, then he realized his attire and the tend would be befitting. However, he got the impression from himself as guide that while their bodies and minds were here, they couldn't participate in the Bible scenes because they might change the biblical events. They could observe. They could live through another's eyes as well, but they could not talk with anyone and they couldn't be seen. It reminded him in a way of Charles Dickens', A Christmas Carol. He could observe and that was as far as it went. So, why did he wear sandals and why was he in a tent? Also, where were the others?
Huh. He also wore different clothing. He wore... What was it? What would you call it? A robe. It was a tan one. Well, okay then. At least he was clothed. Kind of. His legs were bear and he wore something very uncomfortable under his robe. Strange.
He found what he assumed was the way out of the tent and the second he took his first step, he heard, "There you are. You've slept long enough, haven't you? You've been out for over twelve hours." Adora spoke to him from afar at first and then walked closer to him as she commented. She also wore the feminine version of the robe and it was a medium-dark brown in color. Her long spiral curled hair was held back with a tie of some sort and she looked quite captivating. She was the looker of the females of the group, but she just wasn't his type.
"You look beautiful. So, tell me. Where are we? Where are Caleb and Erin? Is everyone okay? Is this real? What happened?" Daniel had so many questions, he tried to vocalize what he thought was the most important at the moment.
"Whoa. Slow down, handsome. Relax. The answers are coming. Don't you remember how we got here and what we've learned so far?" She searched his face with her gaze.
Daniel felt like she tried to read his mind or something. Literally. It was like she tried to penetrate his thoughts with a spell or something. But, since he was a Christian, he knew a witch couldn't do that. Has her, umm, personality only become stronger here. Are her temptations amplified or exaggerated because they are in the times of Jesus Christ the Savior and Messiah? He couldn't help but wonder. Furthermore, he couldn't help but notice how he had a bad feeling all of the sudden and he could only imagine why. He learned long ago to trust his instincts and he said a quick prayer. "I remember what I've learned. How about you?" He decided not to divulge any information whatsoever.
"Oh, Daniel." She laughed and cupped his cheeks with her hands so she could look him in the eye. "You are so precious. You forget a great deal, but you're still darling. Can I tell you what you've forgotten?" She kissed his cheek and then put one of her hands on his hip as she waited for his response.
"What's that?" He hesitated, but he braced himself for whatever answer she gave. He sensed she was about to tell him something he couldn't believe.
"Are you up for the truth, Danny?"
He cringed when she called him Danny. He referred Daniel or Dan, but not Danny. "Daniel. And, yes, I am. what is it, Adora?"
"The whole of Christianity is a sham." She shrugged like it was no big deal. "Jesus was not the Messiah. He was not the Savior of the world. The Christian church made trillions and trillions of people believe the greatest lie of all through the centuries. Jesus was just a man. But, at least we now know the truth. I'm just sorry because I know this will upset you, Erin, and Fallon so. You fell for the lie and were so greatly deceived. But, I sure can't wait to go back and document everything and publish my reports on our findings. The world needs to know the truth, once and for all. Then, I want to get others to come back with me and see it for themselves. They need to see how Jesus wasn't God." She paused and looked at Daniel with a facial expression which showed genuine concern. "Say something, Danny."
He took her wrist and removed her hand from his waist. He prayed for the proper words, along with self-control. He felt his fury rage inside and didn't want to respond with anger and allow her to win this portion of the battle. Instead, he wanted to be the rational and mature one here. She had no clue whatsoever how she was the one who fell for the real and great lie. It was 1 Corinthians 2:14 (Author's Note: Those verses were mentioned in chapters 5 and 6 of this book, if you want to see it again.) and John 1:5 all over again.
He also thought of the following verses:
2 John 1:7--"Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist," (NIV).
2 Corinthians 11:3--"But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ," (NIV).
Mark 13:22--"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible," (NIV).
1 Peter 5:8-9--"8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings," (NIV).
By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy
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