Kindred Spirits

John finished entering his credit card into the website. He rubbed his hands together “I can’t wait!” He pressed the final sign-up actions.

His brother, Dextar, came up behind. “One whole week with your coworkers at Mount Charleston. How many will be there.”

“There are 23 spots. I got the last reservation.”

“I hope you have a good time. I’ll have the apartment to myself.”

John stood from his chair in front of the computer. “I should sleep early. I must get up at 4:30 am. Goodnight.”

John headed to bed and fell asleep.

The alarm blared, jolting John awake. He took his luggage, packed it into his car and started the drive from Las Vagas to a cabin on Mount Charleston.

He turned the radio to the news:



It was reported by ICE, that they are tracking two terrorists who came through the southern border. Apparently, they have headed Northwest.



“It looks like Los Angeles is in danger. I hope they find the culprits.”

John reached the parking lot and stepped out.

John said a prayer. “Oh, Lord, bless me as interact and share lives with and keep me focused. Amen.”

John entered the cabin and saw Brenda and Walter.

“What’s up, John!” said Walter.

“Hello, John,” said Brenda.

“You are the last to arrive, John. Oh, and the newbie Linda has come.”

“She is very smart. She has proven useful.”

Walter snapped his fingers. “Oh! It’s time for breakfast.”

John followed his coworkers through a hall and up some steps with windows.

At last, they came to the cafeteria. All were present.

John bowed his head and muttered a short prayer.

Linda, the new recruit, noticed him and she sat across from the table.

“Hello, John,” said Linda.

“Good morning.”

“This job interests me. I still need to break the ice with you all. I figured I would start with you.”

“I’m flattered.” John paused. “If I may be so bold, are you single?”

“Indeed.”

A blank look came over his expression. “Ou, um, I see.”

“Don’t be so apprehensive.”

Walter stood behind John. “We’re going to play basketball. Want to come?”

“I would,” said Linda.

“I’ll go too.”

“Follow me!” said Walter.

They left the cafeteria and made for the gym.

Two hoops were used to play two different games simultaneously.

Linda scored 30 points.

“I learned well in PE class in high school.”

Afterwards, they went to the rec center. There was a pool table, dart board, air hockey and a ping pong table.

Chatter filled the room.

John went straight to the pool table. He planned on versing Walter. Then Linda stepped before him. “You up for a game?” said Linda.

“Sure.”

John broke and knocked three striped balls into two pockets.

“Pretty good.” The woman sat on the edge of the table and shot. Two solid balls went into two pockets.

“Not bad.” He squinched his eyes. “I forgot I scheduled my birthday party for this week on the 23rd!”

“That is strange. My birthday is on the same.”

“I’ll miss the devotion and worship part.”

“You are a person of faith like me!”

“Yes! When we get back, maybe you could attend my church?”

“Certainly!”

They returned to their game. John ended up winning.

“Good, game Linda.” He stretched and yawned. “All this is tiring. See you tomorrow.”

John went to bed in his room. That night, he had a disturbing dream. He saw with a bird’s eye view, Las Vegas.

A voice came from above him, like the sound of rushing water. “My servant! A horrible catastrophe will come to pass in the place you dwell. Two wicked men will unleash a cataclysmic stroke of wrath. Behold!”

John watched in horror as a mushroom cloud rose from the surface with an enormous boom.

He awoke. “Was that…a vision? What could this mean?”

He went to the cafeteria where Linda was. She seemed to be preoccupied.

“Are you okay?”

“I just…a bad dream.”

“So did I.”

“This was no regular dream,” said Linda. “I may sound beside myself, but I think I was visited by God last night.”

John’s eyes widened. “Did it include a voice from heaven and a warning?”

“Yes!”

“And did it involve the destruction of Vegas!”

“Yes…a huge bomb,” said Linda.

“In your dream did the voice mention two men who will be responsible. I heard on the news that two terrorists are going Northwest.”

“What do we do, John!”

“Well, we can’t go back. The next question is when this will happen.”

Linda took a deep breath. “Is there anything we can do?”

“We must convince them. My brother! I must warn him. He will believe me.”

John used his phone to call his apartment. No answer. “Come on, pick up!”

“We must convince everyone!”

“I’ll keep calling my brother!”

Some people entered the cafeteria.

“We can’t go to Vegas! Something bad is going to happen!” said John.

“What are you talking about!” said one of the listeners.

“Las Vegas will be destroyed! All of it!” said Linda.

More people came in and John and Linda tried to sway their minds, but to no avail.

“Your religiousness is messing with your minds!” said another.

“You all leave me no choice,” said John. He went to the parking lot and got out a Swiss army knife and slashed everyone’s tires.

“I am going to let you have it! You’re nuts!” another coworker.

When the rest went to the parking lot and they were livid.

“Everyone. There is a Fox news coverage of…the entire Vegas Valley has been bombed!” said a person watching the story with a smartphone.

Emotions came over them all. Walter grabbed his head and fell to his knees.

Brenda covered her mouth and gasped. Some had a look of terror and dejection.

“Well at least we were saved. But all our loved ones are gone!” said Walter.

Tears came from the whole group and none, not John or Linda knew what to do next.