Part 19 (1/2)

”Sometimes he just doesn't. At least not right away.” As she spoke, more words appeared on the screen, but they were not the answer to Ryan's question: Regarding Julie's experience, please remember that angels, heaven, h.e.l.l, the supernatural - all are legitimate experiences if they come from G.o.d.

How do you know the difference?

We cross the line into the occult when we attempt to create a supernatural experience on our own.

Please explain.

G.o.d is the worker of the supernatural. When we take a shortcut and try to create a supernatural experience on our own - through meditation, channeling, Ouija boards, drugs, crystals - we open ourselves up to satanic counterfeit.

The tiny alarm went off in Becka's head again. The same one she had heard earlier in the hospital room. She turned to Ryan.

”What's wrong?” he asked.

”Remember that crystal? Remember Julie said the Ascension Lady had given it to her to call up her angel.” Ryan frowned. ”Becka, I really don't think that's - ”

Before he could finish, she spun back to the computer and typed: Z ... are you telling us that not every angel is a good angel?

There was no answer. Becka felt her hands getting damp, her stomach tightening. Once again that old, familiar chill crawled up her spine.

Z ... are you there? Z, answer me.

And then, ever so slowly, the final letters formed: Good night, Rebecca. Tell your friend good night too.

The couple stared at the words in stunned silence.

Chapter 5.

Krissi's folks were at it again. It was the usual rantings and ravings over who was spending too much money on what.

Same old screamings. Same old door slammings. As usual, Krissi was hiding out in the safest place to be when the fur flew. Her bedroom.

But tonight she barely noticed the shouting. She was too busy practicing her special writing. She'd already learned the basics.

First, she had to stay relaxed. That meant closing the door, drowning out the fighting parents with a CD, and getting nice and comfortable at her desk.

Next came the pen and tablet. She set them on the desk, poised the pen over the paper, and did something she felt particularly qualified to do: She thought of nothing. Of course, all of this still made Krissi nervous - memories of her hand writing on its own at the mansion still gave her the w.i.l.l.i.e.s - but something even stronger than the fear kept her going.

That something was the thrill. It was exhilarating to play with danger, to toy with and even control the unknown. But there was something even better than that ...

There was the prestige.

All her life she'd put up with the airhead comments. All her life she'd endured the ”beautiful but dumb” snickerings behind her back. For the most part, it looked like people were right: Thinking didn't seem to be her strong suit. But that didn't mean she wasn't important, that she wasn't a somebody. She was. And if anybody had doubts, let them read that last message. It was beautiful, brilliant, profound ... well, at least what she could understand of it.

Krissi closed her eyes and started doodling on the tablet. The arcs were big and wide as she waited for something to happen.

After several seconds she looked down.

Nothing but big and wide arcs.

Her parents' voices grew louder. She reached over and cranked up the boom box until the room throbbed with music.

It was some alternative group that a guy had given her while trying to put the moves on her. She hated it. Unfortunately, all of her cool CDs were in Philip's car, so ...

She resumed doodling. Once again she allowed her mind to drift. Then, gradually, it began. She felt her hand moving on its own. It was an odd sensation, but it only lasted a few seconds before it stopped.

She opened her eyes and looked at the paper. The scribbles had turned to a different and very distinct handwriting. But it was only four words: Turn that noise down!

Krissi raised her eyebrows. Apparently, her hand had better taste in music than she thought. ”All right, all right,” she chuckled, ”you don't have to get cranky about it.” She reached over and turned down the player. Then she repositioned herself, took a few more deep breaths, and closed her eyes.

Instantly, her hand started moving.

She was pleased that the writing came so quickly. She was definitely getting the hang of it. She wanted to peek, but every time she looked at her hand or became conscious of it, everything came to a halt. So she kept her eyes closed and her mind empty.

She wasn't sure how long it was before her hand stopped. But when she opened her eyes, she was surprised to see that she had filled an entire page with the strange handwriting.

Krissi smiled. Wait'll the others see this. She pulled the tablet closer and started to read.

Greetings in the name of the Intergalactic Alliance.

She felt a rush of excitement. This was new.

You and your group have been chosen. You will join with other Light Workers on your planet to prepare for our coming. With the guidance of the Ascended Masters, you will teach others to evolve past their three-dimensional levels and achieve a higher state of consciousness.

Krissi stopped reading and stared at the words. She wasn't sure what they meant, but they seemed important. One thing she definitely understood, though: the part that said she had been chosen.

She continued reading.

However, you must be warned of a female in your group. Although she has introduced you to us, her jealousy and insistence upon clinging to outdated religious beliefs will prevent you from achieving your rightful position of power. She is extremely dangerous to you and your group. As a Chosen One, you must avoid her. For your own health and safety, be warned.

Sincerely, Xandrak.

Krissi's heart pounded harder. There was an actual name.

An actual person was writing through her! Then she frowned as she reread the last paragraph. A member of their group would be holding her back. A female who had introduced them to the supernatural was standing in Krissi's way.

Not only standing in her way, but this person's - she read the words again - ”jealousy” and ”outdated religious beliefs” would actually be dangerous to her.

Krissi sat back thoughtfully. Only one person fit that bill.

Already Krissi could feel the slightest trace of anger starting to burn. How dare she be held back! How dare someone like Becka stand in her way, especially over something as important as changing the world!