Chapter 7 Finally Awake

Jack woke up disoriented. It was dark and smelled of disinfectant. As well as his pounding head would allow he looked around the room to gather as much information as he could about where he was. The room was mostly white, with a pine wood trim as a finisher. Beside him to his right was a chair. He looked down to see he was wearing a hospital gown and on a hospital bed.

He tried to pull at the thoughts as to how he got there and why he was there. For the life of him he couldn't think of what happened. Okay so retrace. The last thing he remembered was being at work. It had been an exhausting day because Mike hadn't been there…

Then it hit him. The full weight of what had happened that came down on him like a ton of bricks. Mike was gone and the gory scene that had been laid out before him. Then the power he had felt rise up in his chest when he spoke those blasted beasts out of existence. He'd do it again too. He'd find every last demon and destroy them with the light that emanated from within him. He would-

A beeping sounded to his left. The monitor showed that his heartrate was elevated enough to cause for alarm and it was sending for a nurse. He willed himself to calm down and controlled his breathing.

It was almost down to a good level when the door open and a nurse came in. A light shown through her. He had a new found appreciation from the light in all of their chests, in their spirit. It held a new meaning, a powerful meaning.

The nurse smiled, "I'm glad to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling alright. I have a pounding headache, but other than that I'm doing just fine." He smile politely back.

"Alright I'll see about upping your medication a little. We'll get you to feeling better in no time. For now just relax and if you need anything else let me know."

"Okay I will," A pause, "Hey has anyone come by to visit?"

"You are currently under strict orders by the doctor for no visitors, but I will ask him if anyone has come by."

"Okay thank you. Do you think I might be able to speak to the doctor?"

The nurse hesitated, "I will see if I can't send for him. By the way my name is nurse Judy."

"Thank you." Said Jack wincing at the headache.

She left and shut the door. Jack laid his head back on the pillow and exhaled. Kristy must be worried sick about him. He had to get the doctor to give him his phone or let him use a phone to call out to her to let her know he was okay. With how she was she might even be in the waiting room of the hospital.

His thoughts went back to Mike's house. What if… Jack thought for a moment on the events and then he let it happen. Knowing that all that could stand in his wake was a worse headache he willed the light within him to shine brighter. He willed it to take the pain in his head away and that whatever wound he had succumb to, to heal.

Jack felt a warmth flood his chest. It went into every fiber of his being and sending every nerve into bliss. His headache was gone and he felt the embrace of the Creator. He gasped. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this close to God. His headache was gone and he felt the embrace of the Creator. He gasped. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this close to God. His breath felt thick in his lungs but not labored.

The feeling went away. Slowly receding from his body back into his spirit. Jack laughed and he wept. Tears of joy and sorrow fell from his face. He had just witnessed God's love for him in full. Unbound and yet restrained. As if the full force of God's love might undo him. He had to share this with Kristy. He had to share this with everyone!

Jack got up from the bed and went to press the button. Surely if the wound was still there they weren't going to let him walk out of there demanding his clothes. He reached up and felt underneath the bandage on his head. It wasn't there. Was this his imagination? He continued to feel where he had willed his head to heal, he realized there was no headache. Could this mean that it had all been a lie? Or was he going truly insane now that he had hit his head? Had the head injury stopped him from being able to tell what was real and what wasn't? All of these wonders began to fill his mind.

The door opened and he jumped, startled by the sudden intrusion. He looked at the man with new eyes. Instead of just seeing that the man's soul being dark, he could see the demon moving, writhing around his body. This was not just a man, but one who had let a demon corrupt him wholly and intimately. He was one with the demon. Jack saw all this before he had finished opening the door.

Jack didn't quite know how he was going to play this yet, but he knew that he wasn't going to allow this thing to get the upper hand. Sitting back down before the demon looked at him he sat back acting as if he had been like that the whole time. He made himself struggle to sit-up and let "ugh-huh?" escape his lips.

"Hello Jack I heard you wanted to speak with me?"

"May I call Kristy? I need her to know that I'm alright."

The man's badge read Dr. Jackson Clemons. Something wasn't sitting right with Jack. Something about the man's identity seemed false. He had no idea what it could be, but he knew in his soul not to trust him. The doctor looked up from a clipboard he had brought in. "No Jack I'm afraid we can't let you do that given the state that you're in. We will notify her for you though. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No I think that's all I wanted. Can you get the nurse for me please? She was supposed to bring more meds for my head."

"Of course."

The doctor walked away, and with it the eerie feeling. A few moments later the nurse came back into the room with something to put in his IV. He assumed it was for the pain. When she got over to the bed he stopped her.

"I need to leave here. I'm feeling much better. See?"

He pulled the bandage off his head. "No wait!" the nurse was yelling but it was too late. The bandage came off exposing his head so that the nurse could see the sight of where the wound had been. She stared. She was dumbstruck. Her mouth was gaping when a smile pulled at his. He turned back around to face her.

Jack felt a sudden longing in his heart. Not one of lust or interest but of a deep love for this woman. She was in that moment a sister. His sister. Tears filled his eyes as he looked at her. She hadn't noticed because she was still trying to stare around at his head. He looked down at her soul. The way it shined brilliantly. How it held her entire being. How it called out to God without even knowing it needed Him.

A still small voice said things to him in his soul. He couldn't comprehend the words, but he thought he knew what he needed to do. Jack moved his head further and kind quirked it out. Her eyes then met his. Relying on the warmth in his spirit that was gently pushing him to ask, he did, "Can I speak over you?"

"Uh… What?"

"May I speak into your life with God? There's something that I think I could say that will ease some of your suffering, but I won't without your permission." Jack smiled at her, he felt like a giddy kid.

The nurse looked behind her and then back at him, "Sure? I guess that's okay."

"Awesome!" His smile broadened. "Take my hands."

The nurse hesitated another moment and then gave her hands to him. Jack closed his eyes and she followed suite. Having never done this before Jack was a little nervous, but as quick as the unease came it left him as he filled his body and soul with the same light. He allowed the electricity to flow through his arms and down to his hands where he allowed it to continue into her. His eyes still closed he asked, "What's your name?"

"Jasmine."

"Jasmine I need you to let go of the pain of your sister go. She has cancer right? She's twelve years old and it's not fair. She hasn't got to live her life yet." His voice broke, "I pray right now in the name of Jesus that she be healed. That her pain be taken away and all signs of cancer gone. That she can get up from bed and jump laugh and play like she used to."

Jasmine couldn't see it but the light from Jack spread into her being and ignited her soul. Her soul began to shine brighter and tears fell from her eyes. She couldn't comprehend what was happening to her but she didn't need to. Peace entered her beyond all understanding, a joy she hadn't felt since her sister got sick filled her bones and she began to tremble. She looked at Jack through tears. She couldn't speak. Her voice overcome with emotion constricting her ability to talk.

Jack only smiled at her, "I need you to do something now. When your shift ends go to your sister, put your hand on her head and say amen. Will you do that for me?"

"Yes." She managed.

"Good. I can't wait to hear about it. I'll visit sometime in the next month or so to see how you're doing."

With that Jack got up from the hospital bed. He looked at her again and smiled, "Do you know where I could find my clothes? I'd like to get checked out."

"They're in the bathroom over there folded on a chair." She said still in a stated of wonder.

Jack walked to the bathroom and shut the door. He got dressed into his clothes walked back out. Jasmine was still sitting there when he came back out. Nothing needed said so he went to the door. Before he crossed the threshold he took one final glance and decided to say, "Have a good day, Tell your sister, Jailee, that I say hi and give her my regards."

With that he walked through the door and knew he would come back some day to see how she was doing. He'd come back with Kristy so she could take in account of what happened too. He smiled to himself.

He walked to the receptionist making sure to keep a careful eye out for that doctor. Jack got to the desk, "Hi, I'd like to check out. My name is Jack Bryant."

The receptionist took to her computer. Her face turned to shock. "Jack it says here you were in critical condition and needed to be on bed rest for the next few days. How are you even up right now? I'm calling for the doctor."

"No that's okay. No wound see?" He showed her his bare head and where the bandage had been. Turning back around, "So I would like to go home to my fiancé if you don't mind." He smiled.

"Protocol says you need to wait to be released by the doctor. Wait here and I'll get him."

Jack thought about the doctor that had been assigned to him. "If that's the case then, I respectfully refuse any further medical attention, or services and whatever bills need to be paid I will do. Just send them to my address on file. Thank you and I bid you a good day." He smiled again hoping she would show reason.

Turning around from the desk and heading for the door all she said after him was to have a good day. Right now though is mind was on being with Kristy. He had to tell her everything that had taken place. If he was honest he was a little bit hurt that she had been in the waiting room, but she undoubtedly had her reasons. Maybe she had gotten held or was in the car headed to him now.

Whatever the reason he didn't care. He was out and felt truly alive. Connected with his Heavenly Father for the first time. At least since he was a child. Yes… there had been a time before the orphanage that he had felt this closeness.

He didn't make it to the door. He felt that familiar pull and he turned around and looked at the receptionist again. Her spirit was bright but troubled. Something bothered her that had been bothering Jasmine. This wasn't about a loved one. No this was about her. Jack couldn't think of what it was yet so he walked up to her again. He held out his hand and asked, "May I see your hand?"

She held out her hand to him and he took it gently into his, palm faced up. Jack saw the faint scars and scratches on her wrist barely seen with her long sleeve shirt. Emotion flooded his chest and once again tears welled up in his eyes. She took her hand away embarrassed that he had noticed. She looked down. She would now refuse to look up at him.

Jack's voice took on a gentle authority. It surprised even him when he spoke. Undeniable truth and love came from his lips. "You are loved by a Mighty God. Nothing you do will ever make him ashamed of you. Be healed daughter of Christ."

The warmth that had flood his chest branched out and went behind the desk. It went to where her arm was. She gasped, and grabbed her arm. She lifted her sleeve to see why the sudden sensation came upon her arm. Nothing was there. Not a scratch, nor scar. She was healed of any blemish on her skin. She was caught off guard by the sudden emotion that found its way into her spirit. She looked up to thank Jack. All she saw was the door shutting. The receptionist got up to go after him, but was stopped by someone who needed her.

Jack looked around the parking lot hoping to catch Kristy's car in the parking lot. Not seeing it he pulled out his phone. It was busted. He was just going to have to hope that Kristy was at home and that he would meet her there. Then he could get a new phone after they talked about it.

By chance he looked over and saw the police officer he had seen before he blacked out. Jack walked up to him, realizing at the same time he didn't have his car here and it might be sending at an impound lot though it might still be in Mike's drive. For the first time a little dimness came to his new found joy. He waved his hand to the officer when he was about twenty feet off.

"Hey officer!"

He looked up from his gaze at the ground. He had a lollypop in his mouth and those cliché aviators that cops typically wore in the movies. Jack chuckled to himself because to accompany it was the mustache to go with it. The man had a faint kind of glow to him.

"Can I help you?"

"Actually you could. I'm the guy that called you guys about Mike, and then hit my head before I could answer any questions you might have." Jack replied.

"Oh, in that case," he pulled out a pen and paper, "go ahead and tell me about that night. Would you?"

"Of course." Jack recounted every detail about being at work and not knowing why he wasn't there, and wanting to check up on him. To what he seen upon getting there. He left out the bit about seeing the demons. Knowing that the truth of what he seen that night wasn't for everyone. Not everyone would be able to process it and would chalk it up to him being insane.

"Honestly son I'm sorry you had to see that. Can you explain why you kicked down the door though?"

"I was afraid he was in there choking on his own vomit. After losing his wife and his kids denouncing him as their father he's pretty taken with drunkenness." Jack said as sorrow began to his chest.

"Well Jack thank you for clearing some things up for me. As for your car I had an officer bring it here. Didn't think a car like that needed to sit in that part of the neighborhood. It's just around the corner of the hospital waiting for you. Here's the keys." Officer Rosewell handed the keys to Jack and smirked. "Just don't go racing that thing. I'd hate to have to take it from ya." He grinned.

"I would never officer." Jack shook his hand and thanked him for doing what he did. He walked around the corner and sure enough there sat his Challenger. Unlocking the car he opened the door and got in. Ready as ever to leave this place and go see Kristy. Jack started to pull out, and looked over to where the officer had been. He was nowhere in sight.

Unsure what to make of it, he pulled his thoughts back to Kristy. She was waiting for him at home. He could barely contain his excitement. Don't worry Kristy I'm coming! He thought to himself.