The legend of friendship: Never losing faith again

Chapter 18

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS AN ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW IS SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION OR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, PLEASE CALL THE SUICIDE HOTLINE. THE NUMBER, AS YOU KNOW, IS 988. ENJOY THE STORY.

After hearing Madeline's howl, Arvid walked downstairs and ordered himself a nonalcoholic drink at the bar.

"You seem tired..." The bartender said with a smile. "You should be asleep. Someone at your age needs rest."

"I'm just 52." Arvid said. "I'm not a child, good sir..."

"Right..." The bartender said, as Arvid sipped his drink. "Sorry, lad. If you want to be awake, you can be awake."

"Indeed..." Arvid sighed, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

"That is bad manners, son." The bartender sighed, getting him the stink eye from Arvid. "Anyway, what do you plan to do with your life nowadays."

"What do you mean?" Arvid asked.

"You're a congressman, are you not?" The bartender asked. "You must be here to do something different with your life besides working for our country."

"I don't know..." Arvid sighed sadly. "Cannot seem to figure out anything about my damned life anymore..."

"Watch your mouth, laddie." The bartender said. "God is watching you, you know."

"What is with everyone with God?" Arvid asked. "God never helps anyone. He just stands by and let chaos happen."

"That is just what the devil wants you to think." The bartender said. "My Mother always told me that God has sent his son, Jesus, to save us from ourselves. He was beaten to death and nailed on the cross for us. We, as humans, must be grateful. Besides, it is not God who stands by and lets chaos happen. It is the devil. He is the enemy. Not God. God is good. Satan is bad."

"Then, why hasn't God destroyed the devil a long time ago?" Arvid asked. "He could've prevented countless wars."

"God did not cause war. We did." The bartender said. "And God has a plan for us to all come home and destroy the devil once and for all."

"I suppose that makes sense..." Arvid said, taking another sip of his drink. "How long have you been a Christian?"

"Since my Daddy died." The bartender said. "When he left us, I was about ready to kill myself. But, my Mother took me to church which reminded me that I am still surrounded by people who love and cared for me." Arvid stared down.

"You seem to have it easy..." He said sadly. "When MY Father died, I fell into a deep and dark world of heartbrake and despair. I couldn't believe in a God who would allow such devastation happen to anyone like that."

"That is the devil talking, son." The bartender said. "He wants you to think that losing your loved ones means you have to stop believing. You cannot stop loving God because you lost your Father."

"It wasn't just my Father!" Arvid cried. "It was my who family! My wife, my children, my Mother, everyone! They are GONE! But, I'm still on the Earth..." The bartender stared at Arvid sympathetic.

"I should go.." Arvid said, getting up. "I'm gonna go for a walk." He gulped down his entire beverage and left the bar.

"Think about what I said, lad!" The bartender called out. Arvid nodded as he went out the door.

Meanwhile...

Madeline walked back into town to see people coming out to see where the howling was coming from. They all stared at Madeline.