The Lucky Seven

Part 9 - And Then There Were Three

"Are you sure about this?"

"It's been two days, G," Fred answered him. "I haven't had any disturbing dreams, whisper or whispers. If there is a pattern, then this could mean that it's not coming for me. Not yet, at least."

"But Fred,"

"I'll be fine, Dev. I just need to do this. I'll be back."

Frederick was walking towards the Church which was a walking distance from where Devon was staying. Gareth checked out of the hotel after coming from the precinct.

He was deep in thought. Recalling the conversation he had with Devon and Gareth.

"I think Father Moore was right," Devon said. "When you're in the same room with us or even just within the same place near us, that thing could not get to us. Sure Brian and Ethan were still plagued by the dreams and everything, but they didn't die when you're around."

"I think that's why you couldn't get out of the hotel room that night. Not until Ethan died."

"When I got in the room, I checked my pocket again. The car key was there. That's when I felt something bad will happen. But I couldn't open the door. Then it appeared. That shadow, then it quickly disappeared. That's when the door opened on it's own."

If he was keeping them safe? Keeping it at bay? What about him? Now that he's next. He needed help. He needed to be in the one place he can find refuge. Where he hoped he could find the answer into ending all this.

"Look out!"

It came out of nowhere. A car slammed into another car that was parked. The driver of the parked car, who had just got out suffered some injuries but he was otherwise okay.

Frederick found himself on the ground. The runaway car missed him. He was pushed. Pushed out of the way. Somebody saw it coming and warned him and saved him.

He slowly got up. A small crowd had already gathered around the accident site. He walked towards the car that almost killed him.

"Hey sir! Are you okay?"

"Fred? Father Frederick? Are you alright?"

Frederick heard all of them, but he just kept walking. He knew what he would find and he was right.

"No driver."

He opened the door and peered inside.

"Sir! Maybe you shouldn't do that?"

But Frederick could not be stopped, but his heart almost did. No key in the ignition.

Father Moore called Devon and Gareth to come to the Church.

"Who was the one who warned you?"

"There was no one, Dev. There was no one pinned between the cars. No one else saw the car coming."

"What was the voice like? Male, female?"

"I can't remember, G. I know I heard it, then the next thing I knew I was on the ground and the car has hit the car that was parked."

"No driver and no key in the ignition," Gareth said.

"How much are you willing to bet that they won't find anything. Pretty much like the gun that fired the bullet that killed Ethan," said Devon.

"You said that before the deaths, there will be these dreams, voices, the shadow. Did Charlie tell you he had the same things disturb him before he went on that flight?" Father Moore asked.

"Knowing Charlie, he could have been but chose not to say anything. Worry about yourself and others, just not me. That's Charlie."

"And you have not had any of those?" Father Moore continued.

"Nope. None so far. Except for what just happened, nothing else disturbing yet."

"Hmmm?"

"What's on your mind, Father?"

"If we're right, and I think we are. You are keeping them safe. But who's keeping you safe? If it gets to you, then no one would be there to protect Devon and Gareth. It couldn't get to Brian and Ethan when you were around, so it's working double time to get you out of the picture."

"He pissed it off," Devon said.

"In a manner of speaking," Father Moore remarked.

"But who saved him earlier?" Gareth asked.

"Well, could be another unknown force that's the complete opposite of what's been terrorizing you all. Or, the simplest explanation. A guardian angel."

They were sitting in Father Moore's office. Thinking about what he said.

"If he's right, you guys think we can wait this out?"

"Stay together until Halloween? It could work," Gareth replied.

"We can't exactly let you go out on your own just because you somehow have protection. We have to look out for each other more than ever now."

"Thanks Devon. Don't worry. I have no plans of going out by myself. I'm still shaky from what happened."

But Frederick lied. He was considering of going out on his own. To their spot in the woods. Before Halloween. He figured that if he went there and crossed out all their names, in order and dug up the time capsule before the promised date, he would be breaking the chain. Ending it all. And then they would be all safe.

Frederick was looking at the window when Gareth approached him.

"I know what you're thinking," Gareth told Frederick breaking his thought.

"What?"

"You're not going out there by yourself. Why would you do that?"

"Gareth, I...."

"We keep together. We all do it. No one goes out on their own. We do it together."

Frederick relented and agreed with his friend.

Devon who just went out to use the toilet just got back but did not go all the way in Father Moore's office. But he heard everything.

 Devon called Allison to come to where Father Moore has arranged for the three of them to stay. Father Moore thought it would be best for all of them to stay in a place within hallowed ground.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, Allison, I am. Just please trust me."

"If I haven't seen how concerned you were with Ethan, trust would be an issue."

"Oh, Ally."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up the past. I trust you. But I still wish you would tell me why we're doing this?"

"I'll tell you later. But Father Moore has to be here. I think you'll trust me more if he's around to tell you what's been going on."

"Okay," Allison said shrugging her shoulders.

"Thank you very much, Ally."

Gareth and Frederick were already asleep. Father Moore, Devon and Allison were in the receiving room, and they told her everything. They were expecting Allison to become upset in disbelief but she was just quiet. After a while of not saying any word, she hugged Devon. She was crying.

Devon hugged her back then pulled away gently.

"My son..."

"It has to be done, Father. I have to be the one to do it."

"But you'll be alone out there!"

"If it's following the rules. Its rules. It won't hurt me. I think. The important thing now is for Frederick to be kept safe so nothing happens to Gareth...."

"And you," Allison interrupted him.

Devon smiled at her and touched her cheek, wiping her tear.

"I'm sorry for what I did back then, Ally."

"Oh, Dev!" she said and hugged him again.

Devon gave Father Moore a hug and left.

"God be with you my son."