The Syndicate

Jordan breathed heavily and his eyes darted this way and that as he walked through the narrow streets with neon signs written in Chinese on buildings. Suddenly he spotted a tall bulky man in a suite about half a dozen yards away. Jordan put his sweater hood over him and lowered his head. An anxious knot formed in his stomach as he neared the man. Minutes later Jordan passed him up on his right.

Jordan let out a sigh of relief.

“You!” came a cry from behind Jordan.

Jordan turned around to see the man charging after him. He broke out into a sprint with the man running after. Jordan swerved around the tight crowds hoping to lose the pursuer but he was right at Jordan’s heels. He spotted the door to a large restaurant and barged inside. He sat at a table at the back of the restaurant. The establishment was packed and Jordan spied the man stop at the door frame and scanned the place. He perused through the room coming closer to Jordan.

In desperation he uttered a quick prayer. “Oh, God, help me.”

The man in the suite looked around for a few moments more than he sneered in frustration, spun on his heels and dashed out the room. Jordan sunk in his seat and ran a clammy palm down his face.

A person in a grey sweater sat across from Jordan. He jolted and then shook his head. “What are you doing here Mat?”

“I saw you come in here, trying to lose one of Fujisaki’s men.””

Jordan shrugged. “What is your point?”

“You will never escape him. That is what you get for trying to leave the syndicate. We have been friends since before we both joined.”

Jordan smiled. “And that is why I know you will not rat me out.”

“I can only do so much. Sooner or later, they will find you.”

“I know, I know,” said Jordan.

“Only God can save you now,” said Mat.

Jordan buried his face in his hands and sighed. “I wish I never joined. Being part of an illegal Chinese gun trading group was something I just…fell into. What was I thinking!” he said as he slammed a fist on the table.

Mat stood. “I don’t know hat to say or how to help. Stay as low as you can, Jordan.” Mat walked away and Jordan was left staring into space. Once again, he pleaded out of fear and desperation and bowed his head and closed his eyes. “God, if you’re there please help me.”

Jordan looked up and saw a fortune cookie on the table. He frowned and took it and tore off the plastic and broke the cookie. Jorden read the note in the fortune cookie-help is on the way. it said.

Jordan reeled back. “Now that is strange. How odd.”

Jordan stood and walked towards the exit and left. The only way out was to leave Hong Kong, but Fujisaki’s goons lurked everywhere.

Jordan felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see a thin man with a hat. “Hello, Jordan.”

Jordan’s eyes widened and he froze.

“My name is Gabe. I mean you no harm. Come with me.”

Something in Gabe’s voice and manner disarmed Jordan’s fear and doubt and he walked after the man.

“How do you know my name?” asked Jordan.

“Did you not pray for God’s intervention?”

Jordan stopped. “Who are you?”

“I have been sent to deliver from those who are seeking for your life. Gabe is just my short name. My full name is Gabriel, if that rings a bell.”

“You mean from like, the Bible?”

“None other.”

“Suddenly Jordan recognized another member of the syndicate. “We have to hide!”

Gabriel shook his head. “There is no need. Have faith.”

Jordan felt peace about him from the angel’s voice and Jordan followed him. Both them walked right passed the syndicate member’s line of sight and he did nothing.

“Why did he not try to get me?” said Jordan.

“Did I not tell you to have faith?”

Jordan and Gabriel careened right down the street and Jordan felt no fear. Along the way he saw more syndicate operatives, but they did nothing as well.

Gabe and Jordan approached a taxi and opened the back two doors and got in. “Where to?” said the driver in a thick Chinese accent.

“To the airport,” said Gabe.

“I am really on my way to freedom! Thank you, Gabe!”

“We are not in the clear yet. Agents of darkness dwell here and they can see us from the spiritual realm and they know who I am and what I am doing. They may send one of their own operatives to thwart us.”

“But isn’t God more powerful?” asked Jordan.

“Indeed. But everything the enemy does is controlled and watched by Him.”

Soon they reached the airport and exited the taxi then entered the boarding complex.

Gabe stopped and halted Jordan. “Stay here! A spiritual foe is moving about. I must enter the other realm and stop him.”

Jordan glanced around him and when he turned to face Gabe, he was gone.

Jordan did not have any money for tickets! How did Gabe plan to board a plane!

Five minutes later, Gabe appeared in Jordan’s line of sight. “Where did you go!”

“Not important. Hurry! More evil agents are on there way. Here is a ticket. Go!”

Jordan took it and ran for the boarding line and in seven short minutes he entered the plane heading for the US. As the plane lifted into the air, Jordan looked out the window and was stunned at what he saw-It was Gabriel but he was in a shining robe and his face gleamed like the sun.

No one else seemed to even see him! It must have been some vision or something. As the plane rose, Gabriel faded out of view and Jordan sat back and whispered. “Thank you, God.”