Ezekiel Tobit

Chapter III Friar Timothy

My senses were dull, I could barely hear, my vision was sluggish and my skin tingled like the cold air was wrapping me around in its sheath. I stirred on an unfamiliar bed as the musky smell of the surrounding greeted my stale senses. I could taste the sourness of my spoiled saliva brewing inside my mouth, tormenting my numbing taste buds. 

Little by little, I can now hear sounds, the familiar voice spoke from behind the curtain that separated the bed from the other side.

"Michael descended?" It was Friar Timothy's baritone voice asking.

"He did," a voice from a woman responded.

"What were his intentions? Didn't the harbingers see into this?"

"They are silent about it. Only the heads of the high council from the institute know about his intentions and they were holding them secret."

"I should have been there." Friar Timothy's voice sounded dismayed.

"By the way, I am going now, I have still lot of important matters to deal with." The woman said her farewell and went on, her heels are tapping on the tiled floor as she walks. I heard Friar Timothy lets out a sigh.

I stared at the white ceiling, thinking, then it occurred to me. My best friend, Judiel, he's in grave danger. I moved my legs and attempted to stand up but the moment I stepped on my feet, my vision suddenly gets blurry, my head spun and I staggered, holding the hospital bed. Friar Timothy seemed to have heard the scrabbling sound I created that he was suddenly behind me, supporting me back to the bed.

"Where's Judiel, is he alright?" My voice cracked, my mouth is running dry.

"He is, my child. He's confined in the next room." Friar Timothy replied smoothly as he forces me to lie back on the bed. I slumped my head back on the soft pillow.

"What happened child?" He asked me softly as soon as he noticed me calming. He is now seated at the edge of the bed.

"I honestly don't know father, it happened so fast, then. . ." My mouth has completely ran dry, my eyes are brewing tears but were failed to do so.

"Why did that need to happen? Why?" I asked desperately, my voice was barely a whisper.

Friar Timothy looked at me in earnest as he moved next to my side, he reached to touch my shoulder and spoke in a soft soothing voice.

"Everything happens for a reason Ezekiel—,"

"For a reason? And what logical reason would that be that needed to happen to me? To my friend?" I cut his sentence, my voice was barely a whisper.

I honestly believe in God, I believe in his works. But these incidents and all the events happening in my life were giving me doubts, filling me with questions.

"We are not harbingers, we couldn't see what is to happen next. Don't be troubled over the erroneous dogmas that feed your head. Believe in His plans child, everything happens for a purpose. God knows what's best for you."

I stared into his dark eyes. I don't know what to think anymore. I am oblivious to the fact that doubts are in control of me now, anchoring me in the midst of the sea of confusion.

"I'm going to take a rest." I said it as soft as I can. Friar Timothy smiled at me meekly.

I closed my eyes and drifted back to sleep.

★★★

Several hours later, I woke up.

I'm not feeling dizzy anymore. I can feel my strength growing up inside me, stirring me back to life.