“No,” Lash sobbed, taking a step forward.
“There’s nothing you can do, Lash. I know you want to go to them, but you need to stay with your assignment,” Jeremy said. “Wait here for a moment and then go to her.”
Lash nodded. He stepped off to the side and leaned against the building. He watched Jeremy carefully for any signs that he might change his mind and go after Naomi.
Jeremy held his hands in front of him, palms facing upward, and slowly raised them up. A translucent replica of Nathan’s body floated through the crowd and settled down outside the circle. Jeremy walked through the crowd and people shivered as he passed through them. With a wave of his hand, a bright sphere of light appeared in the middle of the street.
“Time to wake up, Nathan,” Jeremy said, his voice low and soft.
Nathan’s eyes fluttered open. He shot up and glanced around, bewildered. “Wh-what happened? Where’s Deborah?”
“Everything will be fine, Nathan. You’ll find the answers to all your questions over there.” Jeremy pointed to the light.
Nathan looked to the crowd and then back at Jeremy confused. His eyes widened when he realized what happened. “Deborah was shot! We were shot. Deborah!” he screamed. He ran toward the crowd and stopped abruptly. “Deborah! Deborah!” He banged his fists in the air as if hitting an invisible barrier.
He turned to Jeremy. “What’s happening? Why can’t I get to her?”
Jeremy’s face with filled with empathy. “You’re on the other side.”
“I”—he swallowed—“died?”
“Yes.”
“What about Deborah?”
“She’ll be fine. I promise.”
“How do you know? Who are you?”
“I am Jeremiel.” Jeremy answered, giving his heavenly name. “I’m one of His”—he pointed to the sky— “workers. My job is to help guide you to your destination.”
“You’re an angel?”
“Yes. I am.”
Jeremy’s lips thinned at the sound of blaring ambulance sirens. “Nathan, I need to help Deborah now. You need to walk through that light and all will be well, okay?”
“She’ll be behind me, right?”
“She will be fine. I promise.”
“Okay. I’ll walk through the light. You go help her.” Nathan swallowed as he walked to the middle of the street. He hesitated at the entrance of the light and an ambulance rolled through him and came to a stop near the crowd. He looked back at Jeremy, shocked.
“Whoa, that was strange. I actually felt that.”
Jeremy smiled. “Go on, Nathan.”
He nodded and turned to the light. Taking a deep breath, he took a step forward. For a moment, the light flickered and he vanished.
“Deborah, hang on. The paramedics are here,” Naomi said as the paramedics pushed themselves through the crowd.
“He’s so … beautiful,” Deborah gasped. “Who are you?”
“It’s the paramedics. They’re here to help you.”
“No. The man in the suit behind you.” Deborah stared up past Naomi’s shoulder.
Naomi turned. “There’s no one behind me.”
“He’s right there. He’s so beauti—” Her eyes glazed over.
“Deborah?” Naomi shook her gently. “Deborah!”
One of the paramedics helped Naomi up as the other began CPR on Deborah.
Jeremy stopped abruptly when he caught sight of Naomi. Lash saw the look on his face, and a low growl rumbled deep in his chest. Lash took a step forward, elbowing his way through the crowd. “Naomi.”
Naomi took one look at Lash and burst into tears. Lash drew her to him. It felt so good to have her safe in his arms.
“She’s wounded,” Jeremy said.
Lash nodded at him then said to Naomi, “You’re hurt. Let the paramedics look at you.”
“Deborah? They need to help Deborah.” She sobbed into his chest.
“They are looking after her.” Lash motioned to one of the paramedics. “Sir, would you take a look at Naomi?”
“Ma’am? Let me take a look at your forehead.”
Lash stood to the side as the paramedic examined Naomi. When he explained that it was a grazing injury and not life-threatening, Lash relaxed and turned to watch Jeremy work on Deborah just as he had with Nathan.
“You’re Jeremiel,” Deborah said when she woke. She furrowed her brow. “How do I know that?”
“Because you’re one of the chosen. You’ve been given special knowledge in order to serve Him,” Jeremy said. “That includes knowing who I am.”
Deborah looked thoughtful for a moment. Her eyes darted to Nathan’s body. “He won’t be with me.”
“No, he won’t.”
She winced and closed her eyes. After a moment, she took a deep breath and opened them. She watched as the paramedic worked on Naomi. “Will she be okay?”
“Yes. She’s in good hands” Jeremy glanced at Lash with a sly smile.
Deborah turned to look at Lash. “I had a feeling he was special,” she said, keeping her eye on him. “Can he see me?”
Lash nodded, answering her question.
“Take care of her,” she said. “She loves you, you know.”
“It’s time for you to go,” Jeremy said.