The Teacher

The Teacher: Part II Testament, Chapter 33

CHAPTER 33

WHEN IT WAS APPARENT THEY'D ALL completed their initial transformation, Holden once again addressed the group. "Welcome to the brotherhood of Guardian Disciples! Anyone who wishes to come and live at Delta Gamma may do so. Fallon and I are heading back there right now, but also feel free to take your time with the transition. If you're led to stay where you are in order to influence others to join our movement, you are still eligible for the free tuition and monthly expense money. Speaking of transitions, don't be afraid of the changes you're feeling. Yes, they're dramatic and mysterious, but you'll soon learn to put your new gifts and abilities to good use. We'll have our next meeting tomorrow night, a training session, at Delta Gamma. I hope you can all be there," Holden concluded.

"Yes, and thank you for coming," I interjected, as everyone began to disperse.

Professor Dorsey stayed behind, waiting for the room to clear before approaching Holden.

"Wasn't sure we'd see you...I know this is a big step," Holden said.

"You're right about that...I had reservations, but after what I experienced this afternoon, I had to find out more."

"You know...I didn't really expect many people from your generation to be receptive to our message. As you can see by who came tonight, you're the first, but I hope you won't be the last," Holden commented.

"Look, I feel incredible and somehow I know this is so much more than a temporary drug-altered state of mind. How could I ever go back to my old life?" the professor added honestly, more than just a little concerned about the long-term consequences of the decision he'd just made.

"Hey, don't worry about going back...it's all downhill from here. Everything in your life will only get better, and easier. You'll have the intellectual energy to move academic mountains, if that's what you want, and the resources to quickly shape any other dream into your reality," I added, hoping to calm his concerns.

"Professor, just know that if you can help us reach some of the other teachers and spread this thing on campus among the, let's say, more mature adults, there'll be a place for you when we begin controlling things here in Madison and throughout Wisconsin. Are you interested?" Holden offered.

"Please, I can't process anything else right now...only this morning I began a new semester teaching, thinking my life would just go on as an obscure professor until I retired, and now, just a few hours later. Look, I'm going to share this with my close colleagues, but because I know this is real, and incredible, and not because of any promises you might make," he replied thoughtfully.

"I understand, really...just take it one day at a time," Holden replied.

The professor left to face his first sleepless night while learning to adapt to his new powers while working out his place and purpose in a world suddenly evolving rapidly.

Knowing we might be needed, Holden and I headed back to Delta Gamma, walking along the lake which was now strangely calm compared to the surreal mayhem we'd witnessed just a few minutes earlier.

Several people who were close enough to see what happened called 911 to report an incident they were sure was a UFO. Squad cars, piercing sirens squealing, pulled into the Armory parking lot just as we were leaving.

Soon it wouldn't matter how the mortals who refused to convert reacted when they witnessed something disturbing that the Disciples were doing in their world.

BACK AT DELTA GAMMA, TWELVE OF the new Disciples didn't want to face their friends until they understood more about what was happening to them and decided to begin living with us right away. Holden was busy in the study preparing for the first in-service for the new recruits. Every so often he would come into the bedroom to ask for my help. I was doing the next day's homework for both of us—the Sociology of World Religions, Political Science, and World Governments.