G.U.A.R.D. Book #3: Recusant

-8-

    Water surged over my body like the anger within. Honestly, a guy interrupts breakfast to do a "physical assessment," and doesn't even say word about how did after we'd finished. The shower did a little to ease the frustration, though. After slipping into some jeans and a baseball tree, I put my hand on the handle to the door, but paused. Honestly, the bathroom seemed to be the only place I could be alone. So I took a moment to enjoy the seclusion. Then I exited.

Surprisingly, Jackie was actually sitting normally in the chair. She read a thick book, but I couldn't see what it was. After putting my clothes in the hamper, I sort of just stood there awkwardly, realizing I had nothing to do. There weren't any books for me to read. And I didn't know what I liked to do besides that. To make matters worse, I hadn't come any closer to getting answers today, so... I really had nothing to think about, either.

"Hey," I said, not really sure what to say.

Jackie glanced up and grinned. "Hey."

"What are you reading?"

"Oh, I..." She glanced back at it. Then at me. "I'm a Christian."

"Christian," I repeated. I knew what it meant, which surprised me. In fact, the moment she said the word, it seemed to unlock so many details of the religion in my mind that I wondered if I was Christian myself. For some reason, with all the searching for answers and anger geared towards G.U.A.R.D., it kind of made it hard to believe.

"I'm reading the Bible," she continued, looking a little embarrassed. "We're not really supposed to talk about religion because it causes a lot of rifts between the agents, but, I mean... you'll probably see me reading this all the time, so..."

She's afraid, I realized. Afraid of being made fun of for her religion.

Walking over, I sat down on the floor in front of her and asked, "What passage are you reading?"

Jackie stared at me curiously for a few seconds before glancing back at her Bible. "It's in Psalms. Uh... my mom used to read it to me. She called it the 911 of the Bible." She smiled at that, eyes crinkling in happiness. It faded, though.

"Don't see her that often?" I asked, hugging my knees.

"I.. well..."

"Right." I rolled my eyes. "Not supposed to talk about it."

Jackie looked at me uncomfortably, but then glanced back down to the Bible. I recalled what her mom called that scripture, and I frowned, slowly letting my legs down.

"The 911 of the Bible?"

Jackie glanced to me. "Yeah. I mean, it's all about being brave and whatever. Mom said to read it whenever..." She stopped mid-sentence, then continued with: "Y'know. Just... whenever."

My scowl deepened. "I think I've heard that before."

My roommate snorted. "What? 911? Uh, yah. It's the police's number."

"No," I snapped, annoyed. "I've heard that phrase. And that explanation. I think. It just sounds familiar. Could you read it?"

"Uh... sure. It starts out 'Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest-'"

I interrupted her then: "'-in the shadow of the Almighty." I blinked. "I know that verse. I feel like I've known it for a long time."

Jackie leaned forward, crossing her legs. "Do you think you can cite the rest of the chapter?"

"Maybe... say the first line again."

She did. I waited, but nothing happened. I shook my head.