Now

In the beginning there's faith, always faith. Standing alone in the darkness he finds relief outside of town. The light on this bypass road always carries massages of salvation from drivers going by. The holy water drizzles upon the Earth in a constant whisper. Gently it washes over his burning skin as it cleanses. Cleansing both the physical aspects to the soul, the water soakes his clothes and rolls the sins from his skin. Each step along the blacktop renews him. The strength builds with every quaking step. No longer does he feel the cold. Strength burns from his very soul, boiling his blood in anticipation. Dan has to keep moving. Dan strides towards his orders in the wind.

The voice of God leads him to this undulant road, lost in the woods, laying only miles outside of town. It just so happens to be the popular bypass route for the 18 wheeled monsters that snake down the black road. A feeble attempt to recover lost time from other paths. This black river of tar is a truly holy spot revived in these days of new. Here, sins come to die. God's way shines through the headlights casting his brilliant clarity into their lost minds. Dan just waits for the right driver, too lost to see the path. Dan waits for the right time, as the snake redyeing to strike. Dan waits for the voice out of the dark. Patient and calm, he lets the rain run over him.

                                                                  Now.

Compulsively before the false light can caress the darkness, his arm finds its way hovering over the black river. Thumb up, this monster will soon devour him whole. The wind groans with anticipation around Dan's very being.

Roaring down the road, salvation waits in the condemning path. The creature barreling down this river never seems to slow, but in his faith, he felt the monstrosity accept the gracious offering. Seconds pass as the 18-wheeler growls agonizingly to an aching a halt. The monster squealed unhinging in a muffled scream. The thing only lied steps away at this point, all that's left is to enter.

                                                          Go on my boy.

The cold steel handle bites his hand, slimy and painful, compulsively begging him to pull. There is no choice left except to enter the beast. There is no choice when the voice of God resides in the soul. A jerk to the door it pulls open with a swing.

Warmth blasts Dan's face as an older man faces him with a dancing grin. Inside the belly of the beast reeks in unkept breaths and sour air. The shirt that clung to the old man has never been properly washed clean matching his soul. A royal blue rosary hangs delicately off the rear-view mirror with reflections caught in its silver details. The mirror holds on to the past being drowned in the rain. Putrid.

"Son you're soaked to the bone!" says the old man. His voice smoothly tender laced with the devil thick on his tongue. "Where could you be heading on this rainy night?"

"Where ever the Lord wishes me to travel." says Dan. Calmly sizing up the old man, he breaks out an innocent smile.

                                                          This is the one.

Dan knew before the shiver took hold with the rain beating harder on the windshield. He could smell it in the air, so thick it almost suffocated him.

"Ah, so a man of God? I'm Northern bound if that works for you son?" asks the old man. Quizzically the old man raises an eyebrow admiring his new young companion. Dan stares into the old man as he is dissected by the old man's demon eyes, ripping into his skin. They sat still in the hum of the monster.

                                                            Do it my boy.

"Son, I do have to ask for you to pay for this ride." says the old man. His lip slipped into a smirk, the lusting thirst oozing from his body. "You don't possibly have any money for this adventure do you.

Dan shook his head slowly, averting his eyes to the ground. His eyes turning sad as he pulls his hands between his knees. He pulls himself inward, shrinking into the seat, almost attempting to disappear. Averting his eyes just enough so the old man can't see the light gleaming in them. The rain poured from the skies in a thunderous might.

"A young runaway is always willing to do anything to get away though?" asks the old man. He shifted himself in his seat starring down Dan.

"I suppose so sir but..." says Dan. Trailing off to leave the thought heavy in the sour air. "What could that possible be boy?" asks the old man. Chewing his lip fiercely, he was confident of his prize in this warm steal cage. He reaches across the center space, placing a hand on Dan's thigh. The old man's eyes wide with victory, practically ready to pounce, he locks the cage with his free hand. "What could possibly be the problem with that my son?"

                                                                  Now.

Dan lifts his face from the floor and smiles at him. He places a hand on top of the old mans and pats it once for good measure. Lighting flashes across the sky.

"God has a different plan for you." says Dan.

The old man's eyes go wide and suddenly the monster unlocks itself. Gospel music blares from the door speakers though the radio just doesn't seem to be alive. Wide eyed, the old man's mouth gapes, lost for words, and lost for air.

"What in the hell..." begins the old man, but it's too late for him to beg for his forgiveness. Still holding onto his hand, Dan watches silently as the old man grasps at his chest. The gagging noises blend in beautifully with the chorus of the gospel, harmonizing in a way that only the Angels angelic ears could understand its profoundness.

Another flash of lightning strikes toppling a tree in front of the 18 wheeled monster that now idles purrs, tamed and contempt. Thunder roars adding to the ultimate crescendo as blood trails from the old man's eyes down his face. Dan smiles and weaves his head to the beauteous tune of God letting go of his wrath inside this metal cage. Suddenly it's over, just as soon as it began.

Dan's face goes mute as he releases the old man's hand, no longer needing to comfort him. He reaches over the vast middle space and examines the dilated gapping man. Slowly he wipes the bloody tears away from his cleansed body and returns to the seat.

A deep breath and then a deeper sigh Dan stares out at the fallen tree, highlighted in the headlights, in the way of the 18-wheeler. He reaches for the keys in the engine, but stops. The rosary around the rearview mirror sways ever so slightly.

"I will be removing this from your possession, as you never needed it anyways." says Dan.

The passenger door opens slowly and he slithers out back into the rain. Dan places his hands in his pocket and begins the journey back to town. The rain burns his skin, washing away all of his sins. The rosary swaying sweetly from his pocket now soaked in the rain.

                                                               Amen.